Performance audit : tackling domestic violence

Abstract

This study is intended to provide a strategic perspective on the manner by which government operates to tackle domestic violence. To this end, the National Audit Office (NAO) reviewed the operations of seven entities which, in its opinion, are the primary government stakeholders dealing with this social challenge (Figure 1 refers). The reviewed entities are: the Commission on Domestic Violence (CDV); Appoġġ Agency; the Police Department; the Courts of Justice; the Department for Probation and Parole (DPP); the Health Department; and the Education Directorates. From its review, NAO principally concludes that although a number of the reviewed government entities do work together on certain aspects of this social concern, no comprehensive framework exists on how all involved entities should work together to tackle this issue in a cohesive manner. Furthermore, this Office made observations on: the prevalent lack of allocated resources; the importance of awareness raising; the need of comprehensively kept and shared information; the value of harmonised training between the reviewed entities; the possibility of setting up a multi-disciplinary victim support team; the necessity to focus on the problem source (that is, the perpetrator); and the importance of an effective enforcement system.