A GROUP of domestic abuse experts from the University of Worcester met with the President of Malta to discuss their work on the island.

The University of Worcester’s Centre for Violence Prevention has led the training of more than 700 professionals, including 40 judges, in Malta as part of an EU-funded project, working with the Ministry for European Affairs and Equality and the University of Malta to understand and improve the multi-disciplinary responses to domestic abuse.

Professor Liz Gilchrist and Beverley Gilbert, from the University of Worcester, were introduced to Her Excellency Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, the President of Malta, at a meeting on International Women’s Day and were then invited to a formal reception with the President at the San Anton Palace.

Professor Gilchrist said: “We discussed the work we are currently engaged in in Malta, which is titled Full Cooperation, Zero Violence. It was fantastic to be given an opportunity to talk to the President about the project.

“Her Excellency is keen to support this work going forward and we are now discussing a possible round table sponsored by her Excellency to develop certain aspects of ongoing need in this area or a series of public talks.”

The two-year project started in January 2017 and concludes this December and is aimed at strengthening cooperation across a number of sectors and disciplines, including health, justice and education, enabling relevant professionals to help combat violence against women, while raising awareness and encouraging more victims and bystanders to report such incidents.

As part of the project, Professor Gilchrist and Beverley Gilbert have travelled regularly to Malta to deliver training to a range of professionals.

Professor Gilchrist added: “We have received very positive evaluations, and from our evaluation of the training can see a change in knowledge and attitude over the past 12 months.”

The University of Worcester’s Centre for Violence Prevention is an international centre of excellence in violence prevention research, education and advocacy. It brings together a multidisciplinary team of academics and practitioners who develop and disseminate evidence-based practice.