https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/11625 Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:14:25 GMT 2026-04-12T23:14:25Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/86834 Title: Who are the real victims of drug abuse? : an insight into secondary victimisation Abstract: This study is a small contribution towards a better understanding of the ever growing phenomenon of drug abuse and addiction, with a focus on the effects felt and the support needed by the immediate relatives. As often happens with cases of drug abuse, the focus is directed at the actual abuser while the family is cast into the shadows from which they only emerge in order to provide support to the abuser. The questions posed in this study are as to what the drug abuser's family endures as a result of the habit as well as whether or not the help and support they receive is adequate and timely. The problems tackled in this study include various types of abuse including physical, emotional, verbal, sexual and financial abuse as well as the treatment the family receives once the abuse is known. The study also deals with the trauma relatives go through when a drug abuser is in contact with law enforcement and the criminal justice system, including incarceration as well as dealing with the stigma attached to drug abuse particularly in Malta. The study tackles various family members separately so as to make a distinction between the different problems faced by different relatives. This study uses a qualitative approach by means of in-depth interviews with male and female parents, siblings, partners and children of drug addicts as well as interviews with professionals from drug rehabilitation centres in Malta. Description: B.A.(HONS)CRIMINOLOGY Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/86834 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/86773 Title: Female drug addicts : the access to drug rehabilitation programme Abstract: This study probes into the drug rehabilitation treatment programmes being provided in the Maltese Islands and aims to disclose the situation, delineating the chances female drug addicts encounter when trying to make use of drug rehabilitation programmes. Thus this study aims at investigating the access provided for females by comparing the lived experiences of both genders. Furthermore the social workers also have a significant part in this research with the intention to enrich the data and conclude with a valid discussion. To allow the triangulation of the study, surveys with social workers working at the rehabilitation centres were carried out to include professional background. Participants chosen were clients following a programme provided by the two main governmental agencies which are Sedqa and Caritas. Other clients were chosen from OASI foundation in Gozo. This research aims to point out the limitations of female drug abusers from seeking treatment. This study shows that the system needs constant individual attention to individuals both males and females. However specific rehabilitation treatment for females needs to be addressed. Description: B.A.(HONS)CRIMINOLOGY Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/86773 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/86771 Title: A tale of two genders : institutional sexism in the Maltese Police Force Abstract: The aim of this research is to address the lack of literature on policing in Malta, particularly that related to discrimination on the basis of gender. It has been argued, that policewomen were not suited for police work due to their emotional temperament and nurturing mother image (police authorities as reported in the local press of Friday, 11th February, 2011). Others have argued that women may not make good police officers because they lack the necessary physical endurance and agility (Block, 1974). This study presents the opinions of the fifteen policemen and fifteen policewomen interviewed - as regards gender issues in the Malta police force. Most of the police officers interviewed, irrespective of gender, stated that they felt ignored by the Malta police force. Some policewomen actually argued in a sexist manner towards "other" policewomen who did not perform as well as "others", claiming that some policewomen lacked self-confidence and did not even consider themselves as law enforcement officers. This implied that, sexism could be so ingrained that, even policewomen themselves believe that they cannot perform the same role as their male colleagues. Many police officers, irrespective of gender, felt unappreciated. On the positive side, findings indicate that, in the Malta police force, recruitment and promotion opportunities were equally accessible for everyone, strongly opposing Ford and Newburn (2005) who argued that sexism is present in police forces all over the globe. This research attempts to shed light on a topic scarcely studied in the Maltese context, with the primary intention of encouraging future researchers to use this study as a platform for forthcoming investigations. Description: B.A.(HONS)CRIMINOLOGY Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/86771 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/86678 Title: Usury : why do people resort to it and what are the consequences Abstract: Usury is the lending of money with a very high interest, an activity which is illegal in Malta. The reason behind this is that the whole concept goes against all basic principles of social and natural justice, in that the interest rates would be so high that it would be impossible to ever pay the debt. This first debt normally induces a person to incur other debts in the hope of paying the first debt. This results in an overwhelming amount of money that the victim owes to third parties, apart from the lender him/herself. There are also other social consequences such as stealing and poverty. Usury is like a vicious circle that has no escape. This dissertation has attempted to outline the typical profile of the victim of usury, that of the money-lender, an effort which is hampered by the total dearth of local publications and research on the subject, and therefore the study was essentially based on a tabula rasa. In fact this study has tried to find reasons why a person resorts to such desperate measures, knowing that they are both illegal and of a direct physical risk to the individual. The basic question being asked is, 'at what price, and how high?' The information has been obtained through observation techniques. As regards public perceptions of who and what kind of victims resort to usury, as well as the perspectives of professionals who work largely with the victims of usury, the qualitative unstructured interview technique has been adopted. Description: B.A.(HONS)CRIMINOLOGY Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/86678 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z