https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/321 2026-09-29T09:58:29Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/149460 Title: Women’s recovery from abusive relationships : a critical review of existing literature Abstract: Domestic violence (DV) is a widespread social issue with long-term psychological, social, and structural consequences. While existing research has extensively examined the causes and dynamics of abuse, less attention has been paid to the process of recovery from abusive relationships. This study aims to critically examine the ways in which women recover from abusive intimate relationships, with a particular focus on the dynamics of abuse, barriers to leaving, and factors that shape recovery. The research adopts a qualitative desk-based approach, drawing on secondary data from peer-reviewed journal articles, academic books, and authoritative references. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify recurring patterns and key themes across the literature. The analysis is guided by two theoretical frameworks: Coercive Control Theory and Posttraumatic Development Theory, which provide insights into both the mechanisms of abuse and the processes of recovery. Findings demonstrate that abusive relationships are maintained through mechanisms such as coercive control, trauma bonding, and emotional dependency, which contribute to the entrapment of women. Leaving these relationships is often a complex and gradual process influenced by structural, social, and psychological barriers, including financial dependence, fear of retaliation, and limited institutional support. Furthermore, recovery is shown to be non-linear, involving both ongoing challenges and opportunities for resilience and personal growth. Access to support systems, including social networks and professional services, is recognised as a key factor in facilitating recovery. This study highlights the importance of understanding recovery as a multifaceted and ongoing process rather than a single event. It contributes to the existing literature by incorporating different perspectives on abuse and recovery. It also highlights the need for more comprehensive support systems and future research that addresses the diverse experiences of victims. Description: B.A. (Hons) Criminology(Melit.) 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/149459 Title: The history, evolution and motivations of terrorism Abstract: This research study examines the historical development of terrorism and the motivations driving terrorist groups across time. It seeks to answer how terrorism has evolved from antiquity to the present, what political, social, psychological, and economic factors motivate individuals or groups to engage in terrorism, and which criminological theories are most relevant to explaining terrorist behaviours. A qualitative research design was adopted, integrating historical analysis, thematic content analysis, and comparative case studies. The study reviews secondary sources and assesses for contrasting groups, the Sicarii, the Irish Republican Army (IRA), Al-Qaeda, and the Islamic State (ISIS) to capture shifts in ideology, organisational structure, and tactics. The findings reveal that terrorism is a dynamic phenomenon. Early groups like the Sicarii fused religious zealotry with nationalist aspirations and used targeted assassinations to destabilise Roman rule. The IRA linked nationalist grievances and sectarian discrimination with a dual strategy of guerrilla violence and political negotiation. Al-Qaeda globalised jihad through a decentralised network that exploited internet communications for propaganda and recruitment. ISIS combined apocalyptic ideology with proto-state governance, employing extreme violence and hybrid warfare while providing limited services. The results underscore that no single factor explains radicalisation; rather, political injustice, socio-economic marginalisation, perceived humiliation, and identity-based grievances converge with peer networks and charismatic leadership to justify violence. Criminology theories of strain, social disorganisation, and social learning illuminate why individuals turn to terrorism and why groups endure. Description: B.A. (Hons) Criminology(Melit.) 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/149458 Title: The dark web : a perfect channel for funding of organised crime and terrorism Abstract: The research conducted examined how the dark web promotes the revenue streams of organised crime and terrorist organisations, with particular attention to anonymised access to the dark web, the use of cryptocurrency for transfers, and the legal and regulatory challenges these present. The study adopted a qualitative research design in order to obtain as much detail as possible from the professionals interviewed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four participants in the sectors of financial crime, cybercrime, compliance and regulation, using thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns and differences. The research findings indicate that the dark web does not act as the root cause of offending, but rather as an enabler, facilitating illicit trade, covert coordination, and the movement of funds using anonymised infrastructure. Although other tools can be used to access the dark web, the Onion Router (TOR) was identified as the primary tool, while funds were moved mainly through cryptocurrency using practices such as mixers, chain hopping, intermediary wallets and peel chains to obscure transaction trails, launder funds and enable cross-border transfer. The findings also indicate that illicit activities extend beyond the dark web and often migrate to other encrypted messaging applications, such as Telegram, while using hybrid methods that incorporate cryptocurrencies with offline value transfer systems. Law enforcement and regulatory gaps were identified, including attribution difficulties, rapid cross-border transaction flows, regulatory gaps related to decentralised systems, delays in international cooperation, and limited analytical tools and expertise. The dissertation concludes with recommendations aimed at improving cross-border cooperation, investing in specialised training and analytics, and adopting an ecosystem approach to anticipate offender migration to other platforms and financial channels. Description: B.A. (Hons) Criminology(Melit.) 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/149457 Title: The safeguarding against human trafficking and exploitation within the context of maritime cargo regulations Abstract: This dissertation investigates the relationship between maritime cargo regulations and the prevention of human trafficking, highlighting the necessity for comprehensive regulatory frameworks, collaborative efforts across the industry, and the incorporation of technological advancements to identify, deter, and dismantle trafficking networks. By improving maritime cargo regulations and fostering cooperation among shipping companies, port authorities, and international organisations, the maritime sector can significantly contribute to the protection of at-risk individuals from exploitation and human trafficking. The research questions were answered by conducting a secondary desk-based qualitative study where the researcher investigated multiple regulations, such as the SOLAS Convention, ISPS Code, and the MLC (2006). Moreover, previous academic research was used to analyse and highlight the issues. It was found that even though there are maritime cargo regulations that can contribute to reducing human trafficking and exploitation, limitations such as not directly focusing on human trafficking and exploitation of individuals were noted. This shows that people are not just vulnerable to trafficking and exploitation due to criminal activity, but also because of the current structural characteristics of maritime governance systems. Four key themes were identified during this study. These are: offshore isolation as a structural risk factor, recruitment and contractual vulnerability, jurisdictional fragmentation, and prioritisation of cargo security over safeguarding people. The study therefore argues that to tackle trafficking and exploitation within maritime contexts, there needs to be a change where frameworks do not just adopt a security focused approach but also implement targeted mechanisms to safeguard people within the regulatory framework. Therefore, this research shows that there needs to be improvement in relation to international cooperation, adopt and improve the current systems that tackle inspections of cargos to better identify signs of exploitation and trafficking. In general, this study uses existing research and shows how risks of human trafficking and exploitation within maritime cargo systems can be influenced by governance-based solutions. Description: B.A. (Hons) Criminology(Melit.) 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z