Attitudes towards child abuse in Malta

Abstract

This study examines how a selected sample from the Maltese population defines child physical and sexual abuse and neglect. In addition the respondent's willingness to report abuse, and their opinion about the introduction of child abuse prevention policies is investigated. The first part of this work introduces the reader to the complex issue of child abuse by describing what is child abuse, who are the victims and their abusers, and how abuse can be prevented. This is followed by a description of the methodology and results of the survey of the attitudes of a selected sample of respondents, compared to a control group. Finally the major services offering help to abused children are described and a set of recommendations is proposed. The respondents in both areas were able to detect situations where a child is in danger of sexual abuse, or suffering from neglect. The respondents were favourable to the introduction of sexual education and awareness programmes, and a good percentage of respondents said that they would use child care facilities such as baby-sitting agencies. Even if the respondents were able to identify situations in which a child is physically abused, a high percentage of respondents in both areas considered a parent occasionally spanking a child as normal.