As the one-year mark since the tragic death of Bernice Cilia approaches, we come together to commemorate her life and legacy with a Silent March and Tribute Gathering. This solemn occasion not only serves as a memorial for Bernice but also as a unified stand against the pervasive issue of domestic violence.
Bernice Cilia, a victim of domestic violence, did everything within her power to seek help and protection. Despite her efforts, the system failed her, allowing the tragedy to unfold.
The heartbreaking reality is that Bernice’s alleged murderer repeatedly breached the protection order, raising questions about the effectiveness of such measures. Bernice waited at the police depot for hours to file reports of abuse, only to face disappointment. Even after the alleged breaches of the protective order, the authorities seemingly failed to take decisive action.
The critical timeframe between Sunday night and Tuesday morning, during which Bernice lost her life, prompts us to question the effectiveness of law enforcement’s response. Were the breaches of the protective order treated as optional, allowing the alleged perpetrator to roam freely? Is a protective order merely a piece of paper, or does it hold the power to shield victims from harm?
Bernice’s story is a painful reminder of the urgent need to address shortcomings in the system designed to protect victims of domestic violence. A protective order should not be a formality but a genuine shield against harm. The Silent March and Tribute Gathering on Wednesday, 22nd November at 7:30 am, at Triq il-Baċir, Paola, at the same place she was killed, precisely one year after Bernice’s tragic death, will serve as a platform to unite in solidarity against domestic violence and demand accountability for systemic failures.
Alessia Cilia Portelli, Bernice’s sister, told wham, “A year ago, my sister became a victim of femicide. This tragedy in our family is a grim reminder that domestic violence knows no bounds. It’s crucial for all of us to come together, fight against this scourge, and demand significant changes. We must do this to protect others from suffering a similar fate.”
As we prepare to gather in silence to remember Bernice Cilia, let her legacy be a catalyst for change. It is our shared responsibility to ensure that no one else suffers a fate similar to hers. By uniting against domestic violence and demanding accountability for failures in the system, we honour Bernice and contribute to the collective effort to break the cycle of violence. Let this Silent March be a powerful statement that says, “Enough is enough.”
