Malta’s fight against domestic violence has a name you might not have heard before, but it’s doing life-saving work every single day. It’s called MARAM.Short for Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Meeting, MARAM brings key professionals into the same room to deal with Malta’s highest-risk domestic violence cases. Because when agencies work in isolation, warning signs can be missed. Why MARAM Was CreatedMARAM was introduced following recommendations by Judge Geoffrey Valencia after his inquiry into the femicide of Bernice Cilia. Malta was urged to create a formal structure where professionals could share information, assess risk collectively and coordinate fast action in cases where there is a serious threat to life, including potential femicide. In 2023, the Ministry for Social Policy and Children’s Rights launched MARAM. Its purpose is simple: prevent escalation before tragedy happens.And the numbers show the scale of the work. Since its launch, up to January 2026, 1,329 high-risk cases have been discussed and acted upon through MARAM. Around the table, you’ll find a wide mix of frontline entities, including the Malta Police Force, FSWS (including FSWS in Gozo), Domestic Violence Services, the Department of Probation and Parole, the Director (Child Protection), the Victim Support Agency, STOP! The Violence and Abuse Service, Sedqa, the Education Department and key health services such as the Mental Health Service, the Accident and Emergency Department, the Primary Health Care Department and the Mater Dei Midwifery Team. This is what coordinated safeguarding looks like in practice. Training That Matches the RiskMARAM isn’t static. Personnel received specialised training, including programmes in the UK with Bedfordshire Police and MK ACTS, alongside further professional development delivered by SafeLives (UK).Strengthened Through Dedicated HubsReferrals are also channelled through two Gender-Based and Domestic Violence Hubs in Malta, one in Mtarfa and a new launched hub in Santa Luċija, as well as one in Victoria Gozo, helping to ensure that high-risk cases are flagged and acted on quickly.The Bottom Line? When lives are on the line, coordination isn’t optional. It’s everything.Tag someone who needs to know•