‘Men Against Violence’ coalition launched

 To mark the United Nations' day against violence against women, also known as the White Ribbon Day, the Men Against Violence Coalition has been set up.

The coalition is made up of a number of NGOs including Women's Rights Fundation, MCWO, kellimni.com, the National Council of Women and a number of individuals including forensic psychologists, social workers and psychotherapists.

Welcoming the coalition's formation, Family Minister Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, Minister Civil Rights minister Helena Dalli and Nationalist MP Clyde Puli said a strong message was being sent by men joining in the fight against violence.

"This is a huge leap in a mentality that will make a difference. The fight against domestic violence should be led by a strong voice of unity," Colerio Preca said.

She however noted that there existed no data in Malta on the correlation between bullying at schools and domestic violence.

According to a 2011 international reading survey, 42% of Maltese students who took part in the survey reported having never experienced bullying. However 36% of students said they experienced bullying on a monthly basis while 22% said they suffered bullying on a weekly basis.

"We can only assume that this bullying at school is the result of bullying at home or that it would result in bullying at home. These statistics could be a mirror of what is going on behind closed doors," the minister said.

She announced that the National Commission against Domestic Violence will be asked to carry a survey to determine such a relation.

According to the Foundation for Welfare Services, during the first six months of this year, Agenzija Appogg dealt with 423 cases.

Mark Pellicano, a member of the coalition, said the fight against violence should not only come from the victims but should be a collective effort.

"The impression is that this is the victims' problem because they are the ones who speak out. But this is the problem of a whole society. Men and women should join forces in this fight," he said.

Pellicano urged men to speak up if they themselves are victims of domestic violence or if they are aware of such violence happening around them.

Minister Dalli said politicians were untied against the cause which always enjoyed parliament's consensus. She however warned that without a change in culture and mentality, no initiative and no law could be a success.

"Men must be out there, vociferously condemning domestic violence and fighting against it." 

Clyde Puli said violence, in whatever form, was never justified. He insisted that it was the citizens' responsibility to ensure that, what parliament passes as law, translates into action.

The coalition was set up on the initiative of the American embassy and enjoys the support of the Malta Police Force.