'Sick and tired': protesters demand justice for female victims of violence
Protestors gathered in front of the police headquarters on Saturday morning to voice their anger and frustration at the mistreatment of women in Maltese society. The protest, titled Għajjejt u Xbajt [Sick and tired], was called by women's rights activists in reaction to the police's handling of the murder investigation of 29-year-old Paulina Dembska. Organisations that took part in the protest are demanding more accountability from state institutions, including the law courts. They cited lengthy court proceedings, a failure to effectively protect female victims of violence and the tolerance of sexist attitudes as key issues that must be addressed. They noted that victims of harassment, assault and rape were often not taken seriously, resulting in low reporting numbers. A key factor in their demands is for a greater emphasis in tackling “misogyny and the patriarchy” in schools and on the media, with activists calling for sexuality and relationship guidelines to be reviewed to emphasise the importance of equality and consent. Lastly, they said that society must stop blaming victims for their own abuse. “Society is duty-bound to protect victims and to ensure that the actions of...