This year started with the most heinous crime. We were all shocked, we all cried, we all shouted “enough”, we all demanded justice. And here we are again, nearing the end of the year, shocked, crying, shouting “enough”. Yesterday was the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Today, two young children are crying for their mother because her demands for help had fallen on deaf ears. Another victim of domestic violence, another bloody shameful blot on our conscience. Despite all the tears, protests, declarations and column inches, despite the Istanbul Convention and amendments to legislation, we are still at the same point where we were a year ago. We are left to answer questions. Why? Why did society fail Bernice Cassar? Why are we failing to protect women? Why was she not taken seriously when she asked the authorities for protection? With public trust in the police standing at a mere 60 per cent, it is not too difficult to understand why women hesitate to report abuse. The laws in place are as good as empty words if not properly enforced. One woman victim of violence is one person too many. They suffer mostly in silence, many too afraid...
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