Domestic Violence

We take domestic violence very seriously.

We are committed to supporting those affected by domestic violence and providing resources to ensure their safety and well-being. Remember, help is available, and we urge anyone facing such challenges to reach out as soon as possible.

Am I a victim of domestic violence?

Yes, if your relationship with the perpetrator falls under any of the following categories:

Current or former spouses, civil union partners or cohabitants;
Persons living in the same household or had lived with the offender within a period of three years preceding the offence;
Persons whose marriage has been dissolved or declared null;
Ascendants or descendants;
Other adults sharing the same household;
Persons in an informal relationship, who are or were dating;
Persons who are or have been formally or informally engaged with a view to getting married or enter into a civil union;
Persons who are related to each other by consanguinity (blood ties) or affinity up to the third degree inclusively;
Persons having or having had a child in common.

What should I do if I am a victim of domestic violence?

Are You Or Someone At Risk Right Now? Are you feeling unsafe or worried that a situation may escalate to violence soon? Is there immediate danger to you or someone you know? If so, please call 112 now. If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use our textphone service 79770112.

If it is not an immediate emergency, you can seek assistance at any police station, from where you will be accompanied to the Police Gender-Based & Domestic Violence Unit (GBDVU) for an in-depth investigation;

You can report directly to our dedicated Domestic Violence Hub in Santa Lucija, which operates 24/7. Victims of gender-based or domestic violence will find a supportive environment at the hub, staffed not only by police officers but also by social workers, all committed to providing assistance and care.

Alternatively, you can report at the Police Gender-Based & Domestic Violence Unit, situated at the Police General Headquarters in Floriana or send an email to [email protected] for any enquiries or further assistance;

Gozitan residents may either report a domestic violence case at the GBDVU or else at the Victoria Police Station in Rabat, Gozo.

Quality Label For Excellence In Service

The Gender Based Domestic Violence Unit within the Malta Police Department has achieved the Quality Label.

The Quality Label is a distinction awarded to departments and entities within the Public Administration, whose service delivery to customers reaches those standards of service defined through the 4 Pillars (voice and understanding the customer, design and implementation of policies and services that meet customer expectation, delivery of a quality service and accountability, where people become part of the excellence of the service provided), the 5 Quality Service Determinants as defined by the SERVQUAL quality model (Reliability, Responsiveness, Empathy, Assurance and Tangibles), Directive 4-2 and any other directives or policies which establish quality standards within the Public Administration.

The English version of the Gender Based Domestic Violence Unit Quality Service Charter can be downloaded from here, and the Maltese version can be downloaded from here.

With the achievement of the Quality Label, the Gender Based Domestic Violence Unit is committing to ensure ongoing monitoring of the standards with the aim of retaining the Quality Label.

More information on the Quality Label can be accessed from here.