On 23 September 2021, the Commission on Gender-Based Violence and Domestic Violence inaugurated their new premises at Zentrum Business Centre, Mdina Road, Qormi.

This allows the Commission to operate effectively towards increasing awareness about the very serious issues of gender-based and domestic violence that exist. The new offices of the Commission is another milestone towards reaching the goals set by the National Strategy for Gender-Based Violence and Domestic Violence for the year.

During the same event, Minister for Equality, Research and Innovation, Hon. Owen Bonnici also presided over the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Commission on Gender-Based Violence and Domestic Violence and the Faculty for Social Wellbeing, within the University of Malta.

Prof. Saviour Zammit, Rector's Delegate for Major Projects, present at the launch of the new offices proudly says "This MoU will allow our researchers to study the effects that domestic violence is leaving on Maltese children and to come up with mitigating proposals to protect the most vulnerable in our society. The University of Malta must enter into more of these MOUs, with diverse government entities and NGOs, that allow our academics to perform research studies that benefit the whole of Maltese society."

Commissioner on Gender-Based Violence and Domestic Violence Audrey Friggieri said that silence is not golden and speaking up on violence in a structured and evidence- based way will encourage more individuals to come forward with their situation, which is the ultimate aim of such collaborations.

Minister Bonnici said that, “We need to persist in shedding light on this serious issue that has been treated as a taboo for far too long, causing victims and their families to suffer often in silence with no hope of a better life. It is crucial that we spread the information that help is available, and encourage victims to speak up and ask for the help they need to break this vicious cycle. The more research-based knowledge we have, the better equipped we will be to fight this plague and help those who fall victims”, stated the minister.

This agreement marks the start of a new collaboration between the University of Malta, the Ministry and the Commission who are deeply committed towards contributing to research projects, both at national and at international level, in order to not only increase awareness about gender-based violence and domestic violence in Malta, but also to better inform policy-makers and professional associations on the matter, especially on how these affect children.