Malta Women’s Lobby Calls Out ‘Imbalanced’ Treatment Of DV Victims, Calls For Legal Reform
The Malta Women’s Lobby has accused the Maltese authorities’ of “imbalance” in their treatment of domestic violence victims while calling for further legislative reform to the way in which such cases are handled.
The organisation pointed out the lack of safeguards offered to alleged victims when they report an incident.
“The law does not allow victims the privilege of being asked whether they want the aggressor back in the home. On the contrary, it is often the victim who is asked whether she wants to go into a shelter, sometimes even being forced to leave the children behind.”
This comes after former Repubblika President Robert Aquilina was questioned at length for an alleged domestic violence incident reported on Friday.
According to Malta Today, the duty magistrate refused a police request for Aquilina’s arrest following a risk assessment of the victim. Times of Malta reported that Appoġġ assessors concluded she was at high risk.
“In situations where a risk assessment indicates that a victim is at high risk, authorities have a clear and non-negotiable obligation to err on the side of caution. The protection of the victim must always come first—before any other consideration,” the lobby stated.
It argued that recent history has shown us that a lack of immediate and effective protection can be fatal – “leaving behind grieving families and children who are left without their mothers.”
The lobby declared that there is an urgent need to strengthen Malta’s legal and institutional frameworks – a call that often circulates after news of domestic violence reaches the media.
It is calling for a Legislative reform to place victim safety at the centre of all decisions, mandatory and continuous training for the judiciary and law enforcement, and consistent and firm application of protective measures and policies that hold perpetrators to account and prioritise victim protection.
With a more direct tone, the Women’s Rights Foundation fully condemned the magistrate’s decision to not issue an arrest warrant for Aquilina.
“Intimate partner violence and domestic violence are not private matters! Authorities have the obligation to ensure immediate and effective protection for all victims, irrespective of who the perpetrator is or possible political fallout.”
Do you think Malta’s legislative framework on domestic violence should be reformed?
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