In This Together V2

Jesuit Refugee Service Malta

In this Together Women who experienced life in shelters and open centres advocate for change

Jesuit Refugee Service Malta

Project Coordination Alexia Rossi Sylvana Gafa Contributors Georgiana Zaharia Marthese Vella Adiam Teame Alexia Schembri Ulla Mohammed Misgana Yohannesg.

Text Chiara Leone Ganado Photos Darrin Zammit Lupi Design Malcolm Bonello

Contents

In this Together 04

Introduction

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Meet the women

25

Our findings

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What we want

42

Looking forward

in partnership with

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In this Together

Introduction There are an estimated 114 women living in institutional settings and open centres across the Maltese islands. Many of these women are driven out of their homes as a result of domestic violence, while others seek refuge after escaping the dangers of war and persecution in their countries of origin. These individuals spend anywhere between a few nights and a year in such settings, in which time they are met with numerous challenges: financial troubles, lack of support, and psychological turmoil, to name but a few.

Stronger Together is a women’s empowerment and advocacy project implemented by the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Malta in partnership with the Women’s Rights Foundation (WRF), and funded by the Commonwealth Foundation. This project has brought together women from different walks of life: migrants, asylum-seekers and

Introduction

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victims of domestic violence, both local and foreign. The overall aim of this project has been to improve the quality of life of women living in institutional settings, by increasing engagement with policymakers and the general public, and by raising awareness of the harsh realities and struggles faced by these women.

About the project A core team was set up to guide and evaluate the project’s development. The project staff visited different open centres and shelters for domestic violence in Malta and Gozo, in order to provide information about the project and recruit participants. Following the first call for participants, a training session was held for those who expressed interest, where further information was given about the overall objectives of the project, and what involvement in the project would entail. After this session, six women committed to the project, and went on to form the WAMG that brought Stronger Together to fruition.

The WAMG attended regular meetings that focused on topics of empowerment, human rights, advocacy and communications. The meetings were led by members of the core team, with the aim of training the women to raise awareness of their needs. These meetings included discussions on possible research tools, as well as training on the use of these tools. As part of the subsequent research process, the women conducted focus groups within five different institutional settings: Għabex Emergency Shelter, Dar Merħba Bik, Dar Qalb Ta’ Ġesù, Balzan Open Centre and Dar il-Liedna. As the women themselves point out, this process helped to increase their sense of agency and

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control over their future. Further, hearing the experiences of individuals currently living in these settings allowed them to pinpoint some of the prevalent issues they face.

Throughout this booklet, you will read about the experiences of the six women: Georgiana, Ulla, Adiam, Alexia, Misgana and Marthese. They will tell you their colourful stories, and they will open your eyes to the harsh realities faced by so many women in Malta and worldwide. Though they experienced these realities themselves, their role as researchers in this project has further enhanced their understanding of the situations women find themselves in today, both locally and globally. By presenting the data from their research, they hope to raise awareness and combat disempowerment and helplessness.

Through its partnership with the Women’s Rights Foundation, Stronger Together broadens the scope of previous advocacy projects by focusing on the challenges and obstacles encountered by all women residing in institutional settings, rather than exclusively on the challenges faced by one category. It is our hope that, in this way, we will be able to advocate for more comprehensive solutions to these challenges, rather than piecemeal responses.

Introduction

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Meet the women We are Georgiana, Ulla, Adiam, Alexia, Misgana and Marthese, and we have all experienced life in institutional settings. We come from very different backgrounds, but this common experience has strengthened us, united us and filled us with the determination to advocate for change.

We understand, first-hand, the hardships faced by women living in domestic violence shelters and open centres. Our experiences have opened our eyes to more global concerns.

I was a victim of domestic violence myself. I know what it is like to live in a shelter, and I know that things need to be changed.

Meet the women

It’s not just us. Women all around the world face so many challenges. There is a huge problem, and not enough is being done. Governments, in my opinion, have so much to give, but they do not give enough.

More needs to be done.

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Since I first came to Malta, I’ve been denied of my rights time and time again. I joined this project as a way of fighting for my own rights, and women’s rights everywhere. I want to help in finding viable solutions for the problems faced by women.

Meet the women

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Through our own experiences as researchers, and the focus groups we conducted ourselves, we were given the opportunity to meet with many of the brave women currently residing in these shelters and open centres. Meeting these women, and hearing their stories, was a heart-warming experience, because we could relate so closely to what was being said, and also because the strength and persistence of these women is truly inspiring.

Meeting these women brought back a lot of memories. It has not only made me feel fortunate that my situation has improved, but it has strengthened my urge to work towards change.

The refugee women touched my heart. I have no words.

Meet the women

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Being involved in this project has made me realise that I’m not alone in this, nor was I ever alone. So many women pass through similar situations.

We are in this together.

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This process also allowed us to identify prevalent problems within the five institutional settings. We became more aware of how dire the need for change is, and that is what we are here to fight for.

Visiting the shelter again was like going back in time. It was difficult being back there and seeing these women face the same problems, some even worse than those I experienced myself. I expected things to be different after all this time.

We are not just six individuals coming together: we represent the union of different groups within society, standing up for women everywhere, and working towards the same goal. We are speaking with one voice, and we hope to inspire others to stand up for themselves, and others, in the face of injustice.

We need to strengthen and empower women, because their place in society is so vital.

Meet the women

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My advocacy is the result of my experience as both a woman and a refugee. I am made to feel inferior in a male-dominated society. As women, we need to fight, and we need to set an example for other women. Once they see you fight for yourself, they will gain confidence. They will stand up and fight for themselves too.

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Our findings We conducted focus groups in three domestic violence shelters and two open centres. Here, we were able to speak to different women currently residing in these homes, in order to gain first-hand insight into the struggles they face on a daily basis.

Numerous issues emerged, some of which were more prominent in certain settings than others. What follows is a summary of these issues, categorised into five main themes.

Our findings

1.

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“We are struggling to achieve self-sufficiency�

The most prevalent issue in all five focus groups was that of self-sufficiency, and the barriers to achieving this. The women expressed that while they have all experienced trauma in different ways, they do not want to be defined by this trauma, and they do not want their lives to focus on crisis management; rather they would like to move forward, become self-sufficient, and live in a way that is dignified and sustainable.

1.1 Housing One thing that all women living in institutional settings have in common is that they do not have a home, either because they do not have the means, or because they had to flee from their own homes. Living in a shared establishment for a prolonged period restricts independence, and all participants expressed the strong desire to live in their own home, without having to depend on external systems.

As a result of the continuously increasing and unaffordable rent prices in the country, many are left with no choice but to apply for government housing . This entails a lengthy process, whereby individuals are placed on a waiting list until their request is granted. Even then, however, the waiting list does not guarantee that their housing will be covered within a

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reasonable timeframe, and some of the participants of our focus groups have been on the waiting list for over fifteen years. “...għax jien m’għandix flus, għax kieku jien tlaqt...minn hawn irrid nitlaq, irrid noħrog...” “…because I don’t have money, otherwise I would have left…I want to leave this place, I want to get out…”

“Ilni għaddejja mhux ħazin. Ma stajtx naħdem għax kien jgħir.

Ilni sixteen years mindu applikajt għall-housing. U hawnhekk ma tistax iddum. Qisu sitt xhur, imbagħad irrid nara x’ħa nagħmel.”

“I’ve been doing this for a while. I couldn’t work because he used to get jealous. It’s been sixteen years since I applied for housing. And you can’t spend a lot of time here. Maybe six months, and then I have to see what I’m going to do.”

An additional issue voiced by some of the foreign participants is that a number of landlords are less likely to accept them as tenants, on the basis of their nationality.

“For example, if someone is from Africa and he wants to rent a home, they ask him ‘Where are you from?’, and if he says ‘I’m from Somalia, from Africa’, anywhere, they say no. So integration also helps.”

1.2 Finances Financial struggles were mentioned by participants in all five focus groups. Residents in institutional settings receive little

Our findings

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to no financial aid from the government. This hinders their ability to provide for themselves and meet their basic needs.

“This money is not enough for me for living. I don’t have work, I don’t know what I can do.”

“I don’t have [health] insurance and for everything I need to pay. If something happen to me it’s more easy to die because from where I bring the money? That’s the big problem for me.”

While some individuals receive social welfare benefits from the government, it is often not enough to support those with children. Further, certain shelters impose a regular contribution on their residents, which is at times considered too high in relation to the amount they receive in benefits . “they [the government] give them one hundred and fifty, but it’s not enough...so that’s why they say it’s disappointing” “My daughter is fifteen and she has allergy...I medicine buy every month, 45 Euro, I don’t have it” “I get 81...81 how can you live? I have two child, I need pampers, I need milk, I need everything.”

In cases where residents are entitled to social assistance they once again face a problem when they change from one residence to the next. When changing an address, the request for social assistance can take a significant amount of time to be processed, leaving the individual with no financial support and in many cases, leaving them to struggle with even the most basic of needs. In many cases, the source of funds that were available to individuals before leaving their homes (e.g. work, support from partners etc.) might no longer

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be available, meaning that the lack of social assistance has even greater consequences. “...and social services as well...like we are in a shelter and we need more quick to make, to focus on our things.”

“We can’t have to wait like everybody...like for children allowance.”

1.3 Information Besides mainstream courses, little educational support is provided to those looking to achieve self-sufficiency. In the case of those living in open centres, no information is provided on the different systems in Malta: where, for example, would one go to receive healthcare? What documents are required?

The language difference for many arriving refugees also acts as a barrier to self-sufficiency. There are no language courses provided on arrival, and many services do not operate with interpreters as a standard part of the service. As a result, participants in open centres expressed the challenge of trying to understand others, while also trying to make themselves understood.

“My idea was here [Malta] everything is facilitated, you know, everything is good...then when I came here everything is not easy.”

Participants in all focus groups spoke of the lack of training or educational courses offered within the establishments.

While some courses are available, they do not equip women

Our findings

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with the necessary tools to develop and better themselves, and improve their overall wellbeing.

“Kieku sakemm qiegħda hawn, per eżempju, jagħmlu xi korsijiet. Kieku dik vera idea tajba.”

“For example, as long as I am here, they will provide some courses. That would be a very good idea”

1.4 Court proceedings The issue of court proceedings was recurrent. While emphasis was placed on the length of some court cases—some of which can take years—what also emerged was the issue of protection. After exposing themselves and testifying in court against their abusers, many women felt they were not given adequate protection, and those that were given protection felt that it was not sufficient. As a result of this, women are often left feeling vulnerable and unable to take the necessary steps to move on with their lives. “...I’m stuck here, I can’t move...I come in December here, and like three months I didn’t make nothing, because holidays or something else, or to wait...wait, wait, wait.” “...there should be a specific process for people living in a shelter...the process has to be faster.”

“Għandi xahrejn, fadalli xahrejn, qed jispiċċa l-ħin. Dil-ħaġa li ddum...dejjem iddum, ma nafx lil min għandi nkellem.”

“I have two months, two months are left, time is finishing. This things takes time…it always takes time, I don’t know who I should speak to”

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Our findings

2.

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“We need space and support to heal�

A number of the centres, particularly domestic violence shelters, provide social work and general support services for their clients based on the most immediate or critical need. From our discussions with the different women, it became apparent that there is the need for other forms of support that are not solely offered in dire situations, but which can provide a space for the individuals to heal, and act as precursor to living stable lives.

2.1 Childcare One of the main issues that emerged within this theme was that of childcare, or the lack thereof. Mothers who are single, and have little to no family support, are left with few options in terms of work if there is no suitable childcare option.

While the government offers free childcare services for working mothers, this is only offered once a woman has a promise of work. The latter condition inhibits women from actively engaging in job searches and attending interviews, due to having nowhere to leave their children during this time.

A further barrier to achieving independence is that the childcare hours offered by the free government scheme do not allow the women to take certain jobs, such as shift work.

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Furthermore, women also risk losing their employment if their children are sick and they have no one to leave them with.

“Tkun tixtieq taħdem imma jien per eżempju t-tfal il-ħin kollu jimirdu. Min ħa joqgħodli magħhom?”

“You’d want to work but in my case, for example, my children are always sick. Who’s going to look after them?” “...jekk ikun ma jiflaħx it-tifel, x’tagħmel imbagħad?” “…if your son is sick, what can you do?”

Childcare is also very important for women who have experienced trauma, as it facilitates the time and space necessary for healing. When their children are cared for, the women are afforded the opportunity to engage in different activities that will help them grow and move forward, such as attending courses, attending therapy sessions, or simply spending time with people their age. In addition to childcare services, some shelters also provide a play area; however, children are not allowed to utilise the play area unless supervised by their mother, leaving this as an unviable option for those women seeking the time for healing and self-care. “...tajjeb li jkollhom naqra, eżempju, li jkollhom naqra nannies biex tkun tista’ tgħix ħajtek u toħrog naqra...li jkollok ċans toħrog naqra waħdek...” “…it would be good for them to have, for example, nannies so that you can live your life and go out…to have the chance to go out by yourself…”

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2.2 Psychological therapy Counselling or therapy is vital for both parents and children who have passed through traumatic events and now live in institutional settings. While therapy is offered in some settings , often it is available on an irregular basis, or not at all. In many cases, women are referred to other services offering psychological support, at which point they are placed on an often lengthy waiting list.

“Importanti naħseb li jkollok naqra counselling u hekk... that’s a release.”

“I think it’s important to have counselling…that’s a release” “...some help for the children because of what they are seeing...for example to take child to some doctor, he have trauma, you must to be at least 50 Euro, from where I bring the money?”

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“Our emotional wellbeing continues to suffer”

This point was heavily emphasised by participants in the open centres, who shared stories of their harrowing journeys from the abusive environments of their home countries. The struggles faced by these women continue even once they are at a safe distance from physical harm. Because many of those seeking refuge in Malta were separated from their families at some point during their journey, they are often plagued with feelings of loneliness in their new, unfamiliar environment.

The women also spoke of the struggle to achieve a sense of belonging, and recounted numerous instances of racism directed towards them because of their skin colour, religion, or the mere fact that they are immigrants. “...some people don’t like others, they don’t like the black peoples, and like that...because the Maltese people they only think the black people is dirty, the black people is crazy, the black people is...yeah they don’t like it” This diminishes their sense of dignity: they too, they told us, once had a stable family and job, until they were forced to leave the comforts of their everyday life in exchange for unemployment, residency in a shelter, and no form of social standing. They are not given the necessary support to heal and attempt to rebuild their lives. One participant said

Our findings

the following: “It was winter time it was so cold, we don’t have any clothes to wear...nothing. Imagine that we make sacrifice, for what? Across the desert, across the sea... to gain what?” She went on to explain that when she, and many others, made the dangerous journey to Europe, she thought the life awaiting her would be different, and most importantly, safe. Instead, the shelters they live in provide very little support and guidance, and they are subjected to racial discrimination on a regular basis in their daily lives.

This has all resulted in a pressing sense of disillusionment and distrust in the shelters within which they reside, the NGOs that support them, and the Maltese community in general.

“Also, the people are tired because many projects come asking them: What you have a problem? What you have a problem? And they never see any result of this project.”

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“The centre we live in does not always make us feel safe”

Following from the previous theme, issues that were also prevalent in the open centres were hygiene and security, or the lack thereof. One woman reported: “Inside the room... there is a lot of cockroach, insects coming inside”, with others affirming this fact and adding that many of the rooms do not even have windows. If they complain, they are sometimes “punished” by being transferred to an even smaller room. “[the place]...it’s too dirty...we have honour and dignity...and that is not respected” Some women also expressed that they do not feel safe in the presence of certain male guards, and fear leaving their rooms at night, even to go to the bathroom. In general, many of the women spoke of problems with staff members, in that they do not feel supported by them. They are subsequently reluctant to speak about their needs, for fear of negative repercussions.

Financial issues were also brought up, and participants expressed that they do not have sufficient funds to meet their most basic needs, such as food and medicine.

“There is no kind of ACs or fans, it’s too hot. There’s no tables and chairs...there is nothing organised.”

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“You know the washing machine is one of the most necessary things, you know we don’t have a washing machine to wash our clothes. If you need the wash, you pay.

Some people they don’t have the money.”

Participants across all five focus groups emphasised the lack of privacy associated with living in a shelter. In some of the settings, the kitchens and bathrooms are communal for large groups of individuals, and these are rarely kept clean.

Participants in domestic violence shelters expressed that the staff members were not adequately trained to provide emotional support to victims of domestic violence, mainly

5.

“Our need for information and guidance are not always met in the centres”

due to a lack of understanding and knowledge of domestic violence issues. In the two open centres, the women felt that the social workers were ill-equipped to help them resolve social assistance issues, and, in this regard, were not always able to provide updated information. In other cases, social workers were often not present to provide information about the different government departments in Malta. Overall, circumstances such as these result in a series of unanswered questions for those living in these settings.

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Our findings

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Conclusion Despite the different settings and backgrounds, overall, the women expressed concerns over several similar issues. While many of the issues that emerged are structural—such as lengthy court proceedings or high rent prices—the emotional wellbeing of these individuals was heavily emphasised.

Furthermore, the results indicate that, most prominently, women living in institutional settings have a strong desire to achieve self-determination. A goal of this nature can be reached only when the women’s emotional needs are met, the wounds of their past are healed, and the necessary support and tools are provided to allow them to begin the next chapter of their lives feeling confident and empowered.

It is our hope that, through our research and awarenessraising, we may help them achieve this.

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What we want Our findings have reinforced our belief in the importance of continuing our fight to resolve issues, such as: a) better coordination between the services that vulnerable women come into contact with, to avoid the duplication of services and the piecemeal support that can result from an uncoordinated approach, as well as to reduce the amount of time women have to disclose the details of their situation; b) training sessions and/or ongoing information provision for government employees, private employers and landlords on refugee rights and entitlement, and on prevalent issues for victims of domestic violence.

Our findings have also specifically highlighted the need for the following, in order to safeguard the wellbeing and dignity of a number of vulnerable women in Malta, and to help them flourish as strong individuals within our society.

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Safe spaces to heal and move on Women living in shelters, without exception, have experienced multiple traumas, among them: the trauma of living through war, exploitation, abuse and other serious harm, the trauma of leaving home, and the trauma of finding oneself living in a shelter. While leaving a shelter to live independently is a moment that all hope for, it is often just as difficult and traumatic.

That is why we need safe spaces where we can heal, and find the support and services we need to rebuild our lives.

For some of us, the shelters provided a safe, secure and empowering space, however this was not the case for all.

It is for this reason that we are asking the government to: •

Establish clear, publicly available standards for all shelters, be they open centres or domestic violence shelters, outlining minimum staffing requirements, setting basic standards of care, and guaranteeing privacy, safety, and adequate physical conditions (e.g. ventilation, adequate space, and lighting and furniture that is in a good condition).

•

Finance and implement the necessary physical changes and maintenance regimes necessary to ensure that all residential facilities meet these basic standards.

•

Ensure that standards are maintained in the long term, by putting in place an effective monitoring mechanism that takes residents’ views and experiences into account.

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•

Ensure that shelter staff are adequately trained to use a person-centred approach that supports recovery and wellbeing, rather than a rigid application of general rules, in their dealings with residents. They should also be trained understand the specific issues that refugees and women experiencing domestic violence face (e.g. the asylum procedure, rights and entitlements of refugees in Malta, safety issues for women leaving home after experiencing domestic violence etc.).

•

Work to make residential centres spaces that are more effective in empowering women, by adopting an approach that encourages their participation in the running of the centre, safeguards their privacy, and promotes self-preservation (by involving them in certain decisions that are taken about themselves). They should also be given the space to voice their concerns and have these considered.

•

Provide services and support to women living in shelters including: • Psychological support for women and their children, through generic and trauma-focused counselling where necessary.

• The support of a mentor, or caseworker, assigned specifically to each individual, to listen, understand her needs, identify and help her build on her strengths, and offer practical and emotional support throughout her time in the centre in her transition towards independence.

Meet the women

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• In-house courses through which women can use their time in the residential setting to improve their skills and knowledge, deal with their distress, achieve personal growth, and work towards self-sufficiency and reintegration. Such courses, which could be offered in conjunction with NGOs working in the field, could include language training, job skills training, cultural orientation, budgeting, parenting courses and relaxation training such as mindfulness or yoga.

• Childminding services that will to allow time and space for the woman to heal, find work, and enjoy recreational activities. This service needs to be available before a woman actually gets a job, to allow her to apply for jobs, attend necessary appointments and interviews.

For example, a single mother who registers with Jobsplus could be eligible for eight hours of childcare per week, according to the job advisor’s discretion, to enable her to actively engage in a job search.

Childcare services should also take into account shift workers when it comes to the times of service, and the crucial gaps in the service that exist—such as when a child is ill or schools are on break—which often cause women to lose their job in order to stay at home with their children.

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The possibility to live with dignity When moving into a centre, whether after leaving an abusive household or just after arriving in a new country, women often experience severe financial hardship. However, what we learnt from our experience and that of the women we met through this project is that, at the time when you are most needy and dependent on support, it is often most difficult to find it.

Some women are unable to receive social benefits as they are not entitled to them, either because their status is not yet determined, or because they are living in an open centre, or because, on paper, they have property or financial assets.

Even those who are able to receive benefits often do so only after considerable delay.

Timely financial support is essential for women in shelters and their families to be able to live with dignity and to become independent and rebuild their lives.

It is for this reason that we are asking the government to: •

Revise the rules on entitlement to social assistance, so they are no longer based only on inflexible criteria, such as immigration status or property ownership, but on an assessment of individual needs.

•

Ensure that applications from women and families in residential settings are prioritised and that social assistance cheques are issued in a timely manner, within a maximum of two weeks from the date of application.

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Waive the fees for residence permits, work permits and other essential documentation and services, until the woman becomes self-sufficient.

Expedited procedures The lives of women living in shelters are often put on hold, awaiting the outcome of legal proceedings, including separation proceedings in the case of women in domestic violence shelters, and asylum procedures in the case of open centre residents.

The outcome of these proceedings will have a determining effect on our lives and on our ability to live with dignity.

Delays in the procedures negatively impact our lives, causing uncertainty and insecurity, and preventing us from moving on and starting to rebuild our lives.

It is essential that legal procedures are expedited in order to ensure that we are able to achieve closure on a practical and emotional level and move on and rebuild our lives.

We recommend training for lawyers working with the legal aid service on legislation and procedures in the areas of domestic violence and asylum, aimed at making them more able to legally support these specific client groups.

Support in the transition to independence The single biggest challenge for women and their families living in shelters or other residential facilities, whether they are survivors of domestic violence or asylum-seekers, is the transition back to independence. Leaving the relatively

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sheltered environment of an institutional setting to live independently is, to many, a daunting prospect. Doing this in a context of ever-increasing rent prices is infinitely more so.

The inability to cope with monthly rent payments is the main reason why many women and their families opt not to leave the shelter at all or, in some cases, to go back.

It is for this reason that we are asking the government to develop a sheltered housing programme specifically targeting women and families living in residential centres, to help them make the transition to independence.

This programme would provide a transition space for a specific period of time—for example, two or three years—in the form of accommodation with heavily subsidised rent, to allow women and their families time to save money and work towards full independence.

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What we want

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Looking forward This project has taught us so much. It has, first and foremost, opened our eyes to the hardships faces by women living in institutional settings in Malta. Having lived in some of these homes ourselves, we expected the problems we endured all those years ago to have dissipated by now—we expected change. We discovered, instead, that these issues are not only still present, but there are new issues that are not being addressed. Furthermore, we found that the overall living situation for women living in domestic violence shelters and open centres has worsened.

This project has also helped us to grow in so many ways. It has strengthened us as individuals and as a team. We now feel more confident, and we are more conscious of our own rights as women, and what we can and must do to safeguard them. This project has also shown us that we are not alone in this; that we are not wrong to have felt the way we felt; that

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other people are passing through similar experiences right now. It’s time for change.

We embarked on this project to gain deeper insight into the lives of those in institutional centres, and raise awareness.

But our mission will not stop here. We want to continue to empower and support women. We are not expecting this to happen overnight, but we will keep fighting, and we will do as much as we can to give a voice to the voiceless.

We are victims of the government, victims of the system, victims of life. But that has only made us stronger.

For these struggles do not belong solely to them. They belong to you, and us; they belong to our children and our friends. Their fight is our fight. This is why we must stand up against injustice, inequality and systemic poverty. We must speak loud and clearly, with one voice, because above all, we are stronger together.

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References 1.

Figures estimated by centre coordinators, at the time of writing.

2.

Women’s Advocacy and Mobilisation Group.

3.

For several individuals, this is not an option, as they are not eligible to apply for housing. Such individuals include rejected asylum-seekers, migrants with forms of protection such as Temporary Humanitarian Protection New (THPN).

4.

Certain institutions will impose a contribution if the resident is employed. Moreover, the contribution is reduced for individuals whose financial situation does not allow them to pay.

5.

In JRS’ experience, registration for social welfare benefits takes four to six weeks to be processed, while requests for change of address takes two to four weeks, though longer waits are not uncommon.

6.

Information gathered from the institutions indicates that some courses are offered, including ones emphasising language and employment skills. These courses, however, are not routine or systematic, rather they are ad hoc, as their frequency depends on a number of participants. At times, courses are also offered

by NGOs but these are often project-based and are not available in the long term.

7.

Psychological therapy is not offered in open centres. It is only occasionally offered in domestic violence shelters. This is due to the fact that institutions often do not have sufficient funds to provide professional and ongoing psychological services, and hence they sometimes rely on student placements and/or pro bono work.

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Jesuit Refugee Service Malta