Has Josie lost his marbles?

This week, we had a double whammy on the domestic violence front.

We were first regaled by the shocking statements made by Josie Muscat during a seminar on Gender Violence, where he said that "most men are provoked into domestic violence" and that "being insulted or mocked... a man might lose his temper and sock it to her. But one has to see how long she had been needling him".

The online comment boards were still on fire discussing these statements when the shocking news emerged that a policemen had shot his wife during an altercation in broad daylight outside the Point de Vue restaurant in Rabat.

Witnesses to the attack described how the woman ran away from her husband screaming, as he shot her not once, not twice, but three times in the back.

Josie, please illuminate us. Seeing as you are such an expert on the causes of domestic violence, could you please elucidate what kind of behaviour by the wife would have justified her husband's reaction? What kind of provocation would explain his violent and destructive reaction in your eyes?

Over the past few years our society has witnessed several murders of women who were trying to leave toxic relationships. These women - who were doing their best to walk away and to rebuild not only their life, but also that of their children - in most cases were restricting their communication with their spouse to the bare minimum required. How does the knowledgeable Dr Muscat explain these murders? Does he believe that leaving your spouse is provocation to murder?

Did Nizar Mustafa Al-Gadi get on top of Margaret Mifsud, pinning her chest to the seat and preventing her from breathing because she had nagged him or insulted him? Was there anything that that poor woman could have done that even remotely justified his actions?

How about Kenneth Gafà, who stands accused of shooting his ex-girlfriend Christine Sammut outside Żebbiegh in 2010? All she was guilty of was the fact that she did not want to date him anymore. Tell us, Dr Muscat, was she responsible for triggering the violent attack that left her dead?

Frankly, if the subject were not so harrowing, I would be tempted to laugh off Dr Muscat's statements as yet another sign that the man has lost his marbles. It was already clear that something was off when he started Azzjoni Nazzjonali in 2007 - we now have confirmation that the man has lost touch with reality.

Unfortunately however these statements are not a joke and cannot be laughed off. All one need do is check out the hundreds of comments posted online in favour of Dr Muscat and what he said to realise just how serious the situation is. Clearly, in the eyes of several men in this country, men are violent Neanderthals who have no choice but to lash out violently if they are insulted, contradicted or provoked in any manner.

If I were a man I would be insulted by this point of view. There are many men who are perfectly capable of handling provocation without resorting to violence.

Ultimately, the reality is that violence is never justified. If a man feels that he is being emotionally or verbally abused by his partner then he can ask for marriage counselling or, if the situation is too extreme, he can walk away. Beating up his partner should never be an option.

The reality is that domestic violence is a scourge on our society. It happens behind closed doors and injures not only the battered spouse but also the children who have to witness the violence. It is a corrosive cancer that destroys the lives of many and it should never be taken lightly.

My appeal today is this - if you know of any abuse speak up and help the victim get help. You can call 179 or make an appointment with a social worker by calling Appogg on 22 959000.

Let's turn a positive into a negative. Dr Muscat has insulted all those who have suffered at the hands of those who were supposed to be their nearest and dearest. This is our opportunity to stand up for those who are suffering and say no to violence.

Whatever the circumstances - no.