Maltese Women’s Council Urges Government To Take Serious Action Against Poor Judicial System
The National Council of Women (NCW) is urging the government to make the judicial system a viable and effective one in light of recent events that saw the needless death of a woman by her husband less than a day after she reported him for domestic violence.
“When are we going to give this matter our utmost?” the NCW justifiably asked in a letter addressing the state, calling it to take serious action to rectify the slow judicial system that always seems to be too late.
Bernice Cassar was allegedly shot yesterday by her husband, Roderick Cassar, after months of reports of domestic violence, the most recent one being just the night before her untimely murder.
Her tragic death is one of many that caused national uproar and collective despair at how Maltese authorities are not equipped to protect its citizens.
Therefore, like many other organisations and groups, the NCW is calling for an immediate and impactful change.
“How is it that despite a femicide law, reports at police stations, protests and talks, violence still persists? We are failing these women.”
“Bernice Cassar, a young mother of two small children who are now orphaned, was killed brutally while in her car. And this is despite an order for her protection given by the court,” they said.
The NCW further highlighted the significance of the month in which Bernice’s murder occurred.
“It happened during the month of November, the month when we mourn our loved ones, the month when we highlight and we mourn the women who, like Bernice, faced a violent death by a member of her family.”
“This is not only femicide, this is violence against children who have been robbed of their mother at such a tender age.”
The women’s council ended their statement by urging the government to “take serious action in order to rectify the situation where women need not wait months or even years to have their cases heard and to find that when the case is called, the woman would have already faced her creator.”
“Let us not keep talking and issuing press releases, action today will save a life tomorrow.”
Since Bernice’s tragic death, her family and a number of other sources have confirmed that Bernice had made a number of police reports over the last six months detailing domestic violence.
Her sister has also opened up about being seriously concerned about the 40-year-old mother’s safety just days leading up to the murder.
Bernice’s alleged murderer, Roderick Cassar, was arrested at 2.30am after a 17-hour standoff with the police. The Special Intervention Unit officers forcefully entered the suspect’s home early this morning following several attempts at negotiating with him.
The gun used in the murder was also found on the scene of his arrest.
Do you agree with the NCW’s requests?
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