17/09/2026
Leaving an abusive relationship does not always mean the abuse has ended.
For many survivors, separation marks the beginning of a different—and sometimes more dangerous—form of harm.
Control, intimidation, stalking, harassment, threats, financial abuse, manipulation of legal processes and the use of children may become new ways for an abuser to maintain power.
This is post-separation abuse.
It is still too often misunderstood, minimised or missed. The words “she has left” must never be mistaken for “she is safe.”
At SOAR, St Jeanne Antide Foundation, we understand that recovery does not begin and end with leaving. Through survivor-led support, mentoring, advocacy, group activities and a safe community, SOAR walks alongside women and their children as they rebuild safety, confidence, independence and hope.
🎗️ During the third annual Post-Separation Abuse Awareness Week, we call upon communities, organisations, professionals, workplaces, friends and families to learn, listen and act.
Understanding post-separation abuse means recognising that:
💛 Abuse is about power and control—not only physical violence.
💛 Separation does not necessarily stop abusive behaviour.
💛 Abuse may change form or intensify when a survivor leaves.
💛 Children must never be used to control, punish, monitor or intimidate a parent.
💛 Financial deprivation, psychological pressure, repeated harassment and manipulation of systems can all form part of continuing abuse.
💛 Responsibility always belongs to the person choosing to use abuse—never to the victim-survivor.
🇲🇹 In Malta, the Gender-Based Violence and Domestic Violence Act, Chapter 581, defines domestic violence broadly. It includes verbal, physical, sexual, psychological and economic violence, as well as threats, coercion and arbitrary deprivation of liberty.
Importantly, Maltese law is not limited to people who currently live together. Its protection extends to former spouses and partners, people whose marriage has ended, former dating partners and people who have—or have had—a child together. This means abuse does not cease to be domestic violence simply because the relationship or shared residence has ended. Commission on Gender-Based Violence and Domestic Violence
Although “post-separation abuse” is not established as one separately named offence, the behaviour involved may fall within Malta’s laws concerning domestic violence, psychological violence, coercion, harassment, stalking, threats and economic abuse, depending on the facts of each case.
GREVIO—the Council of Europe’s independent body monitoring the Istanbul Convention—has also raised serious concerns about Malta’s response to psychological violence and coercive control.
Its Malta evaluation emphasised the importance of recognising patterns of abuse and understanding the cycle of power and control. GREVIO noted that psychological abuse was sometimes treated merely as a disagreement between a couple rather than part of a continuing pattern of violence.
GREVIO also warned that custody and visitation arrangements can endanger survivors and children and may be used to continue the cycle of power and control. It called upon Malta to ensure that domestic violence is properly considered in decisions concerning separation, custody and access, and that survivors are not forced into face-to-face contact with perpetrators. GREVIO’s Baseline Evaluation Report on Malta
This confirms what survivors and specialist services have long known:
Leaving may end the relationship—but it does not always end the abuser’s control.
During Post-Separation Abuse Awareness Week, we encourage everyone to:
🎗️ Learn about post-separation abuse and coercive control
💛 Listen to and believe survivors
🎗️ Recognise patterns—not only isolated incidents
💛 End victim-blaming
🎗️ Understand the impact on children
💛 Improve professional and institutional responses
🎗️ Ensure that custody and access never become tools of further abuse
💛 Call for stronger prevention, protection, accountability and justice
🎗️ Create safer spaces for survivors seeking support
Together, we can build a Malta where post-separation abuse is recognised, understood and challenged—and where survivors and their children receive meaningful protection throughout their journey towards freedom.
💛 You are not alone.
SOAR stands with survivors—not only as they leave, but as they rebuild.
🎗️
