Nicolette Ghirxi’s Lawyer Files Data Protection Report After FSWS Publish Risk Assessment Refusal
Nicolette Ghirxi’s lawyer Dr. Joseph Borda has filed a report with the Data Protection Officer against the Foundation for Social Welfare Services after it published a document signed by Nicolette and declaring her refusal to a risk assessment.
“The publication of this form is in breach of Data Protection regulations and goes against all basic ethical standards,” Borda wrote on Facebook.
FSWS published this document as a press release and on its social media yesterday amid a slew of accusations that Nicolette was talked out of a risk assessment by officials at the police station.
“Today I filed a report with the Data Protection Officer against FSWS to investigate the press release of 27th August 2024 where FSWS published the declaration form signed by Nicolette Ghirxi on 22nd April 2024 whilst she was undergoing a risk assessment as part of a domestic violence report at the police headquarters in Floriana.”
FSWS published the document in response to claims made by a friend of Nicolette who stated she was talked out of the risk assessment. This was corroborated by voice recordings heard by the Times of Malta wherein the victim explained she was told that she would score low if she had to accept the assessment since the messages weren’t threatening.
In fact, on the form Nicolette wrote “Presently, I don’t think that I am at risk. My report is based on insults and harassment. If anything new comes up, I will report.”
Borda instantly criticised FSWS’ decision to share this document and said that her testimony actually substantiates the friend’s claims.
“So, according to FSWS Nicolette, sat for the risk assessment for the fun of it and she somehow came up with that phrase, then after she went out lying to everyone,” he said.
“This is so professional FSWS,” he continued.
“It is now clearer what happened and corroborates what was reported on Sunday – Nicolette was talked out of the risk assessment. The least that you can do is not make it worse for yourselves and to stop blaming the victim.”
Earlier today, Nicolette’s family reiterated its urge for Prime Minister Robert Abela and Justice Minister Byron Camilleri to open an independent inquiry that would establish whether the state failed the victim.
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