Ankle Bracelets, Education And The Right To Know: Here’s What Survivors Suggest To Tackle Domestic Abuse
Domestic abuse continues to affect countless lives, leaving survivors to navigate not only the emotional and physical scars but also the systemic hurdles that can sometimes fail to provide timely support.
Back in August 2024, following the tragic murder of Nicolette Ghirxi by her ex-partner, Lovin Malta drafted a survey for victims to share their experiences and opinions on how the Maltese authorities can combat domestic violence, gender-based violence and femicide.
Some responses share similarities to the recommendations issued by retired judge Lawrence Quintano who led the inquiry into how the state’s social services handled Ghirxi’s case after she reached out for assistance.
Lovin Malta’s survey received 94 responses with the majority having experienced abuse at the hands of a loved one. While escaping such a situation can be difficult to navigate, Malta has systems in place created to help victims in the most crucial times. And while some respondents did feel supported by authorities, others felt that there was significant room for improvement.
These were their main suggestions:
Technology and Monitoring
One respondent suggested the introduction of an ankle bracelet or a sensory device for both victim and aggressor. If the aggressor is in the area, the victim’s bracelet should beep and send an alarm to the police.
Legal reforms, law enforcement and protection
When giving their suggestions, many respondents addressed the protection offered to victims right after a report is made.
Some suggested reforming the law to ensure that perpetrators are arrested and held in custody, eliminating the need for victims to “hide.”
Others stated that if this is not possible due to the presumption of innocence, victims should be given immediate protection and should even receive financial support.
“I preferred to go to jail myself instead of my perpetrator, at least until the perpetrator was sentenced. I was living in a much worse, life-threatening situation. When you fear for your life, you will do anything to survive,” one person wrote.
Similarly, some argued that perpetrators should be removed from the house after a report is made because in many instances, it is the victim who is advised to stay elsewhere.
Meanwhile, some stated that protection orders should be issued more swiftly by duty magistrates.
A particularly notable suggestion was implementing controls on rental prices for Maltese residents. Victims of physical, emotional, or verbal abuse often face financial coercion, further complicating their situation. Combined with the high cost of housing, this can make it extremely difficult for individuals to secure independent living arrangements away from a partner or spouse.
Lengthy court procedures
Unsurprisingly, a number of respondents referenced lengthy court processes as another area in need of dire improvement.
“Court procedures shouldn’t take years and years like mine. We’ve spent eight years in court and we own the house between us; he is still living there,” one person who was physically and verbally abused by her husband wrote.
The reporting process
When it comes to the reporting procedure, some respondents suggested ways it can be made more accessible. For one, domestic abuse reports should be able to be filed in all police stations, not just in one unit, a person wrote, adding that the follow-ups can be centralised elsewhere.
In cases where victims decide to forgive or drop the charges, authorities should still undergo their own separate investigation into the original claims, another person wrote.
One respondent suggested the use of anonymous helplines, as did Judge Quintano in his official recommendations
“Reporting abuse is incredibly scary for the victim. Properly train the police force on how to deal with these sensitive situations and, most importantly, take victims seriously! I had one incident in Malta where I was run over by a car and broke my arm, and the police treatment was despicable. I wouldn’t trust them one bit to take me seriously in a domestic violence case.
Education
Quite a number of respondents suggested students receive equality, relationship and positive education to make young people aware of the reality and signs of domestic violence as well as the options available for victims. Similarly, participants of the survey suggested awareness campaigns in schools.
Some even suggested that students are taught anger management during the early years of their education.
“More education about emotional abuse, anger management and the proper style of communication. People may abuse others intentionally, but others may not be aware of the harmful effects of their behaviour on others.”
Public records
Another common suggestion was for the details of abusers to be made public with one respondent referencing the Claire’s Law in the UK as a potential model.
This regulation enables the police to disclose information to a victim or potential victim of domestic abuse about their partner’s or ex-partner’s previous abusive or violent offending.
The scheme has two elements: the “Right to Ask” and the “Right to Know”. Under the scheme an individual or relevant third party (for example, a family member) can ask the police to check whether a current or ex-partner has a violent or abusive past. This is the “Right to Ask”. If records show that an individual may be at risk of domestic abuse from a partner or ex-partner, the police will consider disclosing the information.
The “Right to Know” enables the police to make a disclosure on their own initiative if they receive information about the violent or abusive behaviour of a person that may impact on the safety of that person’s current or ex-partner. This could be information arising from a criminal investigation, through statutory or third sector agency involvement, or from another source of police intelligence.
Do you agree with any of these suggestions?
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