Domestic Violence, Gender Inequality and Witness Protection!

8th October, 2014

Ref: http://www.theguardian.com/social-care-network/2014/mar/21/domestic-violence-victim-witness-protection

Ummm now here a question for The Commission of Domestic Violence and the Government of Malta. Should women who have experienced and escaped Domestic Violence be protected under the witness protection programme? ...and my answer to that is, YES ABSOLUTELY, I mean the two go hand in hand.

Restraining/protection orders are not very affective if the police simply aren't quick enough to the scene once the phone call for assistance is made. In Australia, if it's a complaint of Domestic Violence, the police prioritize their attendance – I believe it's general practice; and even then it's too late sometimes, sadly enough.

Once escaping the abusive, addictive cycle of Domestic Violence, gaining witness protection SHOULD NOT BE A BATTLE nor denied, because for vulnerable women of Domestic Violence, the battle for gaining adequate protection is the very thing that often deters them from coming forward; which is an important step for breaking the vicious cycle that entraps many (and many more to come).

Consider what witness protection do for witnesses and then apply that to women and children of Domestic Violence and then you tell me whether it's needed or not!

WHAT is the point of Seminars, TV Commercial and Banners - posing to take tough stance on Domestic Violence as a community – if witness protection is out of the question. Without considering the risk that some of these women put themselves in by leaving, especially if the perpetrator is in the position of Authority and/or works for the government, we can only be expected to move forward as a community combating Domestic Violence, at a very slow pace and with the numbers of reported cases doubling in three years, we have to move faster and do more, it's that simple. Dignity, safety and protection is a Fundamental Right not only because it's stipulated in the Charter under EU Laws but also because to violence against women Malta says NO!

Is that OK with you?

Anne Agius (Gelicrisio)

http://voicebohx.wix.com/anne