What ‘Strong Message’? Malta’s Courts Get Public Grilling After Man Who Beat Ex-Partner Gets Suspended Sentence
Malta’s courts are facing a public grilling for a recent court sentence that was meant to send a “strong message to society” – but is apparently doing the opposite.
The reaction comes after a Cospicua man who beat his ex in front of their child was let out nearly scot-free save for a suspended sentence.
The man, whose identity is protected by the courts, was charged with brutally beating and injuring his former partner in the presence of their five-year-old daughter. He also assaulted and resisted police officers at Cospicua police station.
A judgement handed down by Magistrate Monica Vella condemned the actions as “unacceptable”, giving the accused a one-year prison sentence, suspended for four years and a €4,500 fine.
But with the man back on the streets, reactions to the “strong message” were not positive, with several public figures and hundreds of commentators condemning the judge’s decision.
Former Sunday circle editor Iggy Fenech lambasted the ruling.
“Yeah, it does send a strong message… It tells the victims of domestic violence that they won’t find help when they need it. When is our bloody system going to wake up from its perpetual and dangerous slumber?” he wrote.
“Treated as nothing. Let’s see them celebrate us on 8th March when we’re full of bruises and hurt,” ADPD’s Sandra Gauci wrote, in reference to the upcoming International Women’s Day.
Feminist activist Angele Deguara echoed Gauci’s sentiments, calling for a protest on Women’s Day in Valletta, for “women against deprived justice”.
Several hundred other people in Malta reacted to the news.
“Yes it does send a strong message to society; if you beat someone up with grievous injuries and insult police, you get let off basically free! If you’re the victim of violence, don’t expect protection or compensation! That’s the strong message,” one commenter wrote.
“Just what the victim needs after the ordeal… A joke of a sentence! The only strong message you’re giving to society is that the systems are not functional and are not serving our country,” another wrote.
Domestic violence is a sore issue in Malta, with domestic violence rates rising since the beginning of the decade.
At least three domestic violence reports were made a day throughout 2022. But these figures only scratch the surface of the issue, with many victims remaining silent or falling through the system.
It is no surprise when over 96% of domestic violence court cases in Malta fail to result in a conviction, with the vast majority of proceedings “exhausted”.
In 2020, a specialised domestic violence unit was opened to crack down on and streamline DV cases in Malta and receives about five reports a day. However out of 63 reports opened that year, only eight resulted in formal investigations.
What do you make of the sentence?
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