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maltatoday, SUNDAY, 20 AUGUST 2017 Opinion 24 Paediatricians say child abuse cases in Malta are revealing a worrying trend, despite the number of recorded cases having slightly decreased last year. Writing in the Malta Medical Journal, paediatricians Simon Attard Montalto and Mariella Mangion say child abuse has become an "ever-increasing prob- lem" in Malta, and that eradicating it remains "extremely difficult" – almost as difficult as changing human nature itself. According to statistics from the non- accidental injury register (NAI), child abuse cases increased steadily in ten years between 1993 and 2003, reaching close to 1,800 cases in 2003. But an increasing realisation of the problem, and following a period of under-diagnosis of non-accidental inju- ries, child abuse reports and services for child abuse have increased. And although child abuse cases have gone down to 1,200 last year, the doctors say the increase "remains real and is the result of many predisposing phenomena", including family break- up, increase in unwanted pregnancies, parenting pressures, daily 'stress' and crime, especially where drugs come in. There were 6,442 reports of child abuse recorded by the national welfare agency Appogg between 1993 and 2006, affecting boy and girls mainly aged 6-15. These only represent 30 per cent of all cases, the rest being reported by relatives, other agencies, schools and police. Preschool children however make up 12 per cent of all cases. Attard Montalto and Mangion said children suffered all sorts of injuries, such as pinch marks in the breast area, lacerations, and bruises on the limbs. Other injuries include multiple ciga- rette burns, immersion burns, broken robs, and even cerebral and eye haemor- rhages. In one of the more horrible ex- amples, the doctors write, some injuries "virtually advertise NAI… the infant presenting with a large, triangular- shaped burn on the buttocks with the name Rowenta embossed within," with reference to burns suffered by an iron. The doctors said prosecution of abusers was dependent on a thorough examination of all injuries. "This will prove invaluable in a court of law… Ul- timately, a conviction is highly depend- ent on the accuracy and reliability of the medical testimony." National statistics show physical abuse comprises one-third of all cases, with a lower incident of neglect and abandon- ment cases (24%). Sexual abuse comprises 17 per cent of all cases. In Malta, girls are five times more likely to be sexually abused than boys although many cases involve young school or preschool children who may delay, or even not report the event at all. According to Attard Montalto and Mangion, penetration of the genitals is unusual and external physical signs rare. "Victims may present with inap- propriate sexualised or precocious be- haviour, mannerisms of speech, general emotional liability and regression in schoolwork, whilst physical signs are often absent." Children placed in foster care, gener- ally preferably to residential care, have also gradually increased, from just 27 children in 1997, to 185 in 2005. But the figure remains low compared to those placed in residences, which totalled 425 in 2004, and 282 in 2005. "The small size of the country makes anonymity of potential foster carers dif- ficult to uphold, accessibility by (often) violent parents is far too easy, and lack of appropriate support and more impor- tantly protection, including police over, further discourages potential foster carers." Doctors say child abuse becoming 'ever-increasing problem' News – 22 August, 2007 Send your letters to: The Editor, MaltaToday, MediaToday Ltd. Vjal ir-Rihan, San Gwann SGN 9016 | Fax: (356) 21 385075 E-mail: newsroom@mediatoday.com.mt. Letters to the Editor should be concise. No pen names are accepted. Marking 500 years since the Reformation The forthcoming 31st of October marks the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, the greatest Christian movement since apostolic times. The Reformation, a tremendous revival of biblical and New Testa- ment theology, officially began in 1517 when Martin Luther chal- lenged the Roman Church on the matter of indulgences. While Lu- ther had no idea of the impact this would have on German society and the world, this event changed the course of history. Next to the introduction of Christianity, it definitely was the greatest event in history. It marks the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of modern times. Starting from reli- gion, it gave, directly or indirectly, a mighty impulse to every forward movement, and made Protestant- ism the chief propelling force in the history of modern civilization. Roman Catholicism regards the Reformation as the cause of an unnecessary schism. However, since the papacy was corrupt and unscriptural, and the doctrine of Rome so far removed from biblical moorings, the Reformation had to raise its voice against the See of Rome, and against the authority of the church and of churchmen in religious matters, combined with an assertion of the exclusive authority of the Bible, and of the right of all men to examine and interpret it for themselves. Salvation is located not in the church, an organization, but in the person of Jesus Christ. He actually secured and procured the salva- tion of all his people, without the mediation of priests. The principle became known as solo Christo, by Christ alone. The Reformers believed that sal- vation was caused totally by God's grace, from beginning to end. Man is not saved by works but by God's grace in Christ. No man deserves salvation, and if he is saved it is because of God's unconditional grace. To that end they spoke much of sola gratia, by grace alone. Faith alone is consistent with God's grace in calling to salva- tion. Thus the Reformers taught that salvation was appropriated sola fide, by faith alone, not by faith and good works and sacra- ments. As expressed later in the Westminster Larger Catechism, "Justification is an act of God's free grace unto sinners, in which he forgives all their sins, accepts and accounts their persons as righteous in his sight, not because of anything wrought in them, or done by them, but only because of the perfect obedience and full satisfaction of Christ, imputed by God to them, and received by faith alone." For Martin Luther and the other Reformers, this was the doctrine by which a church stands or falls. The underlying, foundational doctrine of the Reformers was that God's glory was the ultimate pur- pose of all things. Soli Deo gloria was their cry – unto God's glory alone. They held tenaciously to the doctrines of God's sovereignty in predestination and the efficacious call of God in salvation, and saw how these contributed ultimately to God's glory rather than to man's or to the church's. The Reformers taught the utter necessity of a new birth, wrought in man by the Holy Spirit. The Reformers also believed and taught that Roman Catholicism was heretical and apostate. Ro- man Catholicism was a religion of works, but Protestantism was the true Christian religion based on God's grace appropriated by faith. The Reformation laid down once and for all the right and obligation of the individual conscience, and the right to follow the dictates of that individual conscience. Many men who talk lightly and glibly about "liberty" neither know nor realize that they owe their liberty to this momentous event. Sadly, the Reformation did not reach our country. However, the Holy Bible is easily available nowadays. That was the starting- point of the Reformation, and it could also lead to a new begin- ning to many Maltese people even today, as they come to know the unsearchable riches that are in Christ Jesus. Paul Mizzi Trinity Evangelical Church, Msida Feeling unsafe in Birkirkara I wish to bring attention to the fact that as of late, in the Fleur-de-Lys area, namely in the main road (where a lot of pensioners live) there have been many incidents of stalking and mugging, as well as several people being asked for money by shady indi- viduals during day and night. One can hardly feel safe just walking or going out, especially during the evening or night. Just a week ago, one woman had her purse snatched from her hand in broad daylight. This was not an isolated incident. Several others were reported at the Birkirkara police station, but others didn't even bother to report. Shop owners in the area are also complaining of individu- als pestering them and asking for money. From my personal experience, my 80-year-old mother, living there alone, has been asked twice in a week for money, with one person even fol- lowing her to her house. The follow- ing night the same person went to her house ringing the doorbell, asking for money at 9:30pm when she was alone. A report has been submitted to Birkirkara police and officers told us that they are aware of the bad situation, having had several reports, but being understaffed, they cannot monitor or patrol the area at least in the evening or during the night. Several other complaints have been submitted to the local council too. Residents in this area are feeling helpless. Most are avoiding to go out in very early or very late hours, fear- ing mugging or forced entry at their home. This is a ticking time-bomb with the possibility of some el- derly person being seriously mugged, beaten or even killed. I cannot jump to conclusions, but since the refuge home opened at Fleur-de-Lys Road near the Juventus club, these incidents are occurring daily. I support those helping needy persons but responsible persons in charge of this home should consider the negative impact it is hav- ing and acknowledge their responsi- bility of those they are taking care of. Ray Saliba Birkirkara St Paul's advice The impression is being given that a more liberal society is being created. This may be partly true in the political sphere but in the moral order, looser morals have become the order of the day. This is imperceptible to the man-in-the-street and die-hard supporters of the ruling party who regard their representa- tives' proposals and political decisions as gospel truth. If St Paul were to write a letter to Mgr Ch. Scicluna, the present Archbishop, he would repeat the same advice he gave to Timothy, in his second letter. "For there will come a time (the time is now) when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but having itching ears, will keep up to themselves teachers according to their own lusts, and they will turn away their hearing from the truth and turn aside rather to fables. But do though be watchful in all things. Bear tribulation patiently, work as a preacher of the gospel, fulfill thy ministry." (Timothy 2-4:3-5) John Azzopardi, Zabbar Martin Luther