Around €5,000 were donated to Ghabex, the emergency shelter for women victims of domestic violence and their children, run by Agenzija APPOGG. This contribution was made by MTStyleClinic, in the name of other entities including Vodafone Malta Foundation and the Local Council Association, and members of the general public. More than €2,700 of these funds were donated by Vodafone Malta Foundation which went towards a new kitchen for the shelter, whereas the rest of the funds will be used to upgrade the facilities according to needs.

These contributions were collected through a walkathon last year organized by Francesca Rizzo and Nirvana Azzopardi, Directors of MTStyleClinic. Addressing representatives of the respective entities and women currently staying at Ghabex, Ms. Rizzo referred to her satisfaction at the outcome of the event and the campaign against domestic violence that followed. Ms. Rizzo stated that "men and women from all walks of life came together to stand against domestic violence. I'd like to take the opportunity to thank everyone that helped to make it a success. We're glad that through MTstyleclinic we helped to make a difference."

Ms. Claudette Abela Baldacchino from the Local Council Association emphasized that domestic violence is a reality within all societies which doesn't distinguish class, age or sex. Domestic violence goes against a person's dignity and thus society has a responsibility to ease this problem. "Each and every one of us should pass on the message that domestic violence is not acceptable", Ms. Abela Baldacchino added, "and Local Councils should be the first promoters of zero tolerance towards violence within the families that we represent. However in order for the Local Councils to be able to help easing this social problem, they need more human and financial resources".

"Ghabex provides a vital service to the community by offering a safe environment to female victims of domestic violence and their children, who require immediate protection. We are more than happy to support such a worthy cause," said Gemma Mifsud Bonnici, Chairperson of the Vodafone Malta Foundation.

Commenting on this, Mr. Joe Gerada, Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation for Social Welfare Services, said that "we cannot simply be happy with having an Act against Domestic Violence. We need awareness by and training for those who need to make this legislation work. The prime players in this respect are the judiciary, the lawyers and the police. They are very important people who can translate the law into action to stop violence in the home". For this reason APPOGG is distributing a number of leaflets in court and at the police to raise awareness. Mr. Gerada said that APPOGG can work closely with the courts in cases where therapy for the perpetrators is concerned. He thanked the Local Councils Association for its initiative that managed to raise a lot of awareness on domestic violence issues which effect all towns and villages in Malta, as well as MTSTyleClinic for organizing the event and Vodafone Malta Foundation for funding a new kitchen for Ghabex emergency shelter.

The emergency shelter provides 24-hour crises intervention to women and their children who are victims of domestic violence, and who need immediate protection. The women's stay at the shelter is aimed at a maximum period of three months, after which service users move on to a second stage shelter, or to any alternative accommodation that would have been identified during their stay at Ghabex. During these three months, staff at Ghabex, support the women in their daily needs, and work with them to draw up an action plan for their future.