Young domestic violence survivors showcase their art in Home Affairs Christmas cards initiative
Children and young people who lived through the reality of domestic violence were given the opportunity to draw the Ministry for Home Affairs’ Christmas cards in celebration of the holidays, the Ministry said on Monday.It said that this initiat
Children and young people who lived through the reality of domestic violence were given the opportunity to draw the Ministry for Home Affairs’ Christmas cards in celebration of the holidays, the Ministry said on Monday.
It said that this initiative was done in collaboration with the Victim Support Agency. The Ministry added that in an informal meeting with those who participated in the initiative, Minister Byron Camilleri remarked that this is something which goes beyond the drawing itself, commenting that its significance is that through the drawings, the youths were able to express themselves while also having the opportunity to showcase their talents.
The Ministry said that the VSA, which was founded in 2021 by the government, has assisted in just under 8,000 cases, and continued that a number of those cases involved children and young people who lived through difficult times behind closed doors and then found a helping hand from the agency’s dedicated professionals
Minister Camilleri spoke about the Ministry’s work in recent years and said that while it has always remained focused on the fight against crime and the rehabilitation of offenders, the work carried out through initiatives such as this is very important for the victims as work that addresses the challenges holistically. The Ministry said that the sense of appreciation of the involved children and young people during the meeting stood out, and added that their sense of pride to see their drawings on official postcards was clear.
The Ministry said that it is these types of results being produced by the work of the VSA which not only offers emotional support but gives guidance to the victims on what to expect in Court while also being accompanied. It added that this is done while ensuring that the victims know their rights and help them feel more secure in order to improve their quality of life.
Brian Farrugia, the CEO of the VSA, expressed the sense of satisfaction that the VS has as an agency every time their work has translated into a better life for the victims. Farrugia stated that he, along with the other professionals, is committed to assisting more victims to continue with their lives. Regarding the Christmas cards initiative, he spoke with praise for the dedication shown by the youths who participated.
The Ministry stated that 2024 marked more work in this sector, with the focus being on victims of domestic violence. It referred to the first Police hub opened in February in Santa Lucia for victims of domestic violence and gender-based violence. It said that this regional hub operates 24 hours a day all year round, and added that it is staffed by trained members of the Police Force and other professionals to serve and help victims in a safe and welcoming environment, while most importantly giving victims a chance to share their difficult experiences away from the aggressor and in a safe environment. The Ministry said that work is underway to open another hub in the North of Malta in Mtarfa, and added that the Police Force’s Gender-Based and Domestic Violence Unit now consists of 66 officials.
Up until the GBDVU’s establishment, the Ministry said that the Police Force received approximately 1,300 reports per year related to domestic violence, but continued that the number of reports has since increased by 25%, which it said indicates that the unit’s establishment with specific services has led more victims to seek help.
Minister Camilleri concluded by encouraging victims who have yet to come forward to do so and cited the services being provided by dedicated professionals.
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