Elisabeth Fritzl, a story of abuse : can it happen in Malta?

Abstract

This dissertation examines the Fritzl case of abuse and abduction in order to explore whether such an incident can occur in the Maltese Islands. In doing so, it examines different ecological influences, with particular emphasis upon culture, prevention strategies and policies. These objectives were achieved by conducting six semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions with field experts. Thematic Analysis was utilized for data analysis and four major overarching themes emerged: facets which may have facilitated the abuse and abduction of Elisabeth Fritzl, cultural influence on child abuse and abduction, professionals’ experiences, and prevention strategies and policies. The key findings highlight the role played by individualism, secretive cultural attitudes and patriarchal norms in encouraging child abuse and abduction, especially within our local context. Other ecological influences identified include domestic violence, and the lack of necessary skills for identifying suspicious cases present in both child victims and police officers. The exploration of such factors allowed the author to identify the need to implement multiple coordinated strategies with a policy framework which includes the improvement of communities and an increase in awareness across all ecological layers.