Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1542372
THE start of the year is marked by post-holiday blues, temporary gym memberships, and a sense of dread for many common folks. But two people are heading into the new year with different mis- sions even though they share a common goal. For Robert Abela and Alex Borg, 2026 will prove crucial. Bar any surprises, 2026 will be the run up to the next general election for which we can expect the political heat to start notching up. Abela and Borg will want to strike up conversations with different audiences and it's only a matter of time before the two former body builders release some version of a gym vlog to appeal to younger people. And we have little doubt that their respective partners will also feature constantly in choreo- graphed videos on social media to widen the attention net. But apart from having a common goal of appealing to the widest possible audience, at times with cringe-worthy social media videos, Borg and Abela have very different missions for 2026. Borg's search for beef Still riding the wave of enthusi- asm following his election as PN leader in 2025, Alex Borg enters the new year still in his honeymoon pe- riod. It won't last very much longer though. It will be in Borg's best interest to keep the momentum generated by his election going all the way to 2027. It won't be an easy task but this can be done if he capitalises on the source of the momentum. Borg managed to generate hype within the Dar Ċentrali in 2025 because he is a new young face. He seems to be a far cry from his pre- decessor Bernard Grech, who was more prone to gaffes that stuck with him. If Borg's brand is that of change, then he would do well to make changes in the PN. Most notably, Borg needs a new wave of candi- dates for the next general election, especially candidates that can re- place MPs who have proven time and again to be liabilities rather than assets to the party. The most crucial change for the PN in 2026 is the need to show more beef and it is up to Borg to lead the way. It will not be enough for the party to come up with nice-sounding ide- as but which lack coherence. Borg must show that his party is a gov- ernment-in-waiting. In what will prove a difficult task, the PN leader will undoubtedly perform a balancing act in 2026 as he looks to bring back the party fig- ures of old while still appealing to an electorate that has largely been disinterested in the party for many years. The awkwardness of this task was clearly evident in the last few weeks of 2025, as Borg welcomed back 12 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 4 JANUARY 2026 LOOKING FORWARD 2026 MATTHEW FARRUGIA mfarrugia@mediatoday.com.mt A strategy to address domestic violence DOMESTIC violence remains a serious, per- sistent issue in Maltese society even as we en- ter the new year. The National Statistics Office reported that 3,798 people reported domestic violence or sought help from support services in 2024. An increase of about 5.7% when compared to 2023. Around three quarters of those seeking help were women, showing that women are more likely to be affected. When repeat con- tacts with services are also counted, the num- ber of cases reached 6,768. Psychological abuse was reported in near- ly three-quarters of cases, while physical vi- olence accounted for approximately 42%. Other forms of abuse, such as sexual and eco- nomic violence, were also recorded, though less frequently. Despite increasing reporting rates, experts caution that domestic violence remains significantly underreported. Legal and institutional framework Over the past decade, Malta has strength- ened its legal response to domestic and gen- der-based violence. The Gender-Based Violence and Domes- tic Violence Act brought Maltese law in line with the Istanbul Convention. It focuses on prevention, victim protection, prosecution of offenders, and coordinated policies. These measures are reinforced by the Criminal Code, the Victims of Crime Act, and child protection legislation. In addition, the Domestic Violence Risk Assessment Service, run by the Foundation for Social Welfare Services (FSWS), uses as- sessment tools like Danger Assessment and ODARA to identify levels of risk and help ensure appropriate protection and support for victims.However, despite these advances advocacy groups argue that legal safeguards need further strengthening. In particular, there have been calls to give police the power to immediately remove alleged perpetrators from the home, an approach consistent with international best practices. Existing gaps in the system Victims of domestic violence in Malta rely on several support services. Aġenzija Ap- poġġ's Domestic Violence Unit is usually the first point of contact and carries out risk assessments. Emergency shelters, such as Għabex, provide temporary accommoda- tion, but space is limited. The police and Victim Support Units offer immediate help and guide victims through legal processes. Non-government organisa- tions provide counselling, peer support, and community outreach. Despite these services, challenges remain. Support can feel disconnected, victims may face delays, and some areas, especially Gozo, have lower use of services, which may sug- gest there is a problem with accessing help when needed. Reports recommend better coordination between government agencies, NGOs, and community groups to provide smoother and more complete care. The way forward As Malta moves into 2026, addressing domestic violence effectively will require a strategy that combines legal reform, better services, prevention, and cultural change. Strengthening legal protections is essential. This includes introducing emergency bar- ring orders and faster protective measures. As well as improving the enforcement of protection orders through centralised mon- itoring and closer coordination between courts and the police. Expanding and coordinating support ser- vices is also vital. Multi-agency collaboration should be improved so that victims experi- ence smooth transitions between the police, social services, legal aid, and shelters. Shelter capacity and accessibility need to be increased, including options that are ge- ographically spread out, as well as culturally sensitive. Consistent risk assessment, safety planning, and long-term follow-up for vic- tims should also be maintained. But in 2026, investing in prevention and education remains key to stopping violence before it happens. Lessons on healthy rela- tionships, consent, and emotional regulation should be emphasised for girls and boys. Addressing underreporting and social stigma is another priority. Confidential and accessible reporting channels need to be widely promoted, while outreach and em- powerment initiatives should focus on un- der-represented groups, including foreign nationals. LAURA CALLEJA lcalleja@mediatoday.com.mt Robert and Alex: From Robert Abela and Alex Borg have one goal but different missions to achieve in 2026 Both avid gym goers, we can expect more photos of try to appeal to younger audiences