Malta Will Allow People To Find Out Whether Their New Partners Were Once Convicted Of Domestic Violence
Malta will soon allow people to find out whether their new partner has ever been convicted of domestic violence, Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri announced.
“Domestic violence is an ugly plague on society,” Camilleri said today. “Malta implemented changes over the years, the largest two being the establishment of a domestic violence unit within the police force and the passing of femicide law. However, it is never enough when it comes to domestic violence.”
The new domestic violence disclosure scheme is inspired by ‘Clare’s Law’, which the UK introduced in 2014 in honour of Clare Wood, a woman who was murdered by a violent ex-boyfriend who the police knew to be dangerous.
It was proposed in the PL’s electoral manifesto, with MP Rosianne Cutajar stating in May that people who start a new romantic relationship should have a right to find out whether their new partner has a history of domestic violence.
Although Camilleri announced this new scheme shortly after the murder of Bernice Cassar, allegedly by her estranged husband, the minister made it clear that this wasn’t a snap reaction to the homicide.
“It was an electoral promise and [Parliamentary Secretary for Reforms] Rebecca Buttigieg and I proposed a bill in this regard to Cabinet a few days ago,” he said. “While we know this won’t come as a consolation to Bernice’s family, I give my word that the government will take all the necessary steps to combat this plague.”
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