Silence or Justice? The Delicate Dance of Finger-Pointing in Maltese Rape Cases

Imagine this: a young woman, shaken and tearful, steps out of the police station in Floriana, having just reported a rape. The station’s clock tower looms large behind her, a stark contrast to the vulnerability she feels. This scene, though fictional, is not far from reality. Rape cases in Malta are complex, and one of the most contentious issues is who gets to point the finger.

Silence: The Default Response

Malta’s culture of silence around sexual violence is well-documented. Victims often fear stigma, lack of belief, or even retribution. The fear of being labelled a ‘troublemaker’ or ‘attention-seeker’ can be overwhelming. This silence is not unique to Malta, but it’s a significant hurdle here. According to the Malta Police, only about 10% of rape cases are reported.

Take the case of ‘Alex’, a 23-year-old Maltese woman who was raped last year. She chose to remain anonymous, fearing judgment from her conservative community in Birkirkara. “I didn’t want people pointing fingers at me,” she said, “I just wanted to forget it happened.”

Finger-Pointing: When Silence Breaks

When victims do decide to speak up, the finger-pointing begins. It’s not just about identifying the perpetrator; it’s about navigating a system that often feels stacked against the victim. The legal process can be lengthy and traumatic, with victims often cross-examined about their actions, clothing, or sexual history.

Consider the case of ‘Maria’, who reported her rape in 2019. During her trial, her sexual history was brought up, and she was asked why she didn’t scream or fight back. “I felt like I was on trial, not my rapist,” she recalled. Maria’s case ended in a mistrial, and her rapist remains free.

Pointing Fingers at the System

Some argue that the system itself needs to change. NGOs like ‘Shelter’ and ‘Dignity’ have been pushing for reforms, including better training for police and lawyers, and stricter rules around evidence disclosure.

Dr. Marie Claire Attard Montalto, a lawyer and women’s rights activist, believes that the focus should be on consent, not the victim’s actions. “We need to shift the narrative,” she said, “It’s not about what she did or didn’t do. It’s about what he did without her consent.”

Malta’s Minister for Justice, Dr. Edward Zammit Lewis, has acknowledged the need for reform. “We are looking into strengthening our laws and procedures to better protect victims and ensure justice is served,” he said.

But change is slow. Meanwhile, victims like Alex and Maria continue to grapple with the aftermath of their assaults, and the fear of being pointed at, not just by their attackers, but by society itself.

So, what can we do? We can start by listening to victims, believing them, and supporting them. We can challenge victim-blaming attitudes and push for systemic change. We can point fingers, but let’s point them at the real problem – rape culture and a justice system that often fails victims.

As Alex put it, “I didn’t want this to happen. But now that it has, I want justice. And I want people to know that it’s not my fault. It’s never the victim’s fault.”