February 2006
Maltese Psychological Association welcomes Domestic Violence Act

The Maltese Psychological Association (MPA) welcomes the passing through Parliament of the Domestic Violence Act. The Bill will hopefully fulfil the expectations of victims of domestic violence that they will be granted justice and provided with an acceptable degree of protection from harm. The law and subsequent changes in policing and legal procedures will hopefully send a clear message that violence in the home will not to be tolerated or silently condoned in Malta.

Psychologists have been at the forefront in supporting those suffering the distress caused by domestic violence. A number of victims, both child and adult, are severely traumatised and here the road to recovery often requires specialised psychological intervention. On the other hand, a number of perpetrators of domestic violence seek psychological help to overcome their abusive behaviours and perhaps make good for the damage they had caused.

The Maltese Psychological Association is very pleased that the Act requires the provision of preventive, therapeutic and treatment regimes to effectively manage this severe social problem. We hope that sufficient funding will be provided to ensure that all these functions are carried out by sufficiently trained and adequately supported professionals. In particular, MPA encourages the funding of specialised training for psychologists and other professionals within the public sector in the provision of treatment programmes for sex offenders and perpetrators of domestic violence.


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