Editorial

There is public outrage at the attitude of the Malta Football Association. This was brought about by the recent episode of insisting in retaining in employment a convicted paedophile at the Pace Grasso football ground, in Paola, where children from Guzè D'Amato secondary school went for their recreation. It has raised a number of issues.

Firstly, it makes us acutely aware that even in a society where less and less is still considered sacred, child abuse stirs up the most bitter condemnation from the public. And rightly so. Children should not be subjected to physical and emotional exploitation. They have a right to a wholesome upbringing. Unfortunately, life will force them to face enough difficulties and complications later on. By its very nature, sexual abuse on children is a very grave affront to the physical and moral integrity of the young, and it scars them for life.

It should be obvious that prevention is better than cure. Every effort should be made to reduce the possibility of child abuse. As can be expected, paedophiles tend to gravitate towards jobs or careers that bring them into contact with children. In protecting the child, society has the prerogative to ensure that people with such tendencies, especially those with paedophile convictions, should be debarred from sensitive occupations such as counsellors, teachers, sports instructors, etc.

It is right, therefore, to insist on the setting up of a national register of paedophiles, accessible only to selected organisations such as the police and social welfare agencies. In confidentiality, employers at schools, the police force, social workers, Church authorities and any institution that works with children should be obliged to ensure that paedophiles do not work with or in proximity of children.

It should be made illegal to employ convicted paedophiles in such positions.

On the other hand, every effort should be made to rehabilitate child abusers through counselling and psychiatric care. These sex offenders are usually emotionally disturbed individuals who deserve our pity. Many have a history of child abuse themselves. However, any rehabilitation cannot be done by reintegrating them into their previous occupations, hence putting children at risk.

It is of paramount importance that society takes no chances in this regard. Therefore, most of us will support the appeal made by the Children's Commissioner, Sonia Camilleri, to deal with this episode decisively. The MFA had the gall to disparage Joe Gerada, the CEO of the Foundation for Social Welfare Services, for having gone public in an effort to make the association take belated action once it was public knowledge that they persisted in employing a paedophile.

Despite this information, the MFA did not take any action to change the grave situation. To add insult to injury, after terminating the man's employment, the MFA then went overboard and denied access of school children to the football ground.

This was presumably done mockingly to ensure that now the children would definitely not be at risk. This arrogant and callous behaviour of the MFA reveals they are completely unaware what is at stake and unbelievably insensitive to public opinion.

Family and Social Solidarity Minister Dolores Cristina brooked no nonsense and drew attention to this unacceptable behaviour by insisting that MFA president Joe Mifsud should not only apologise but also resign. Dr Mifsud's reaction was to declare publicly he did not owe the minister any explanations, conveniently forgetting the minister represents the public.

In the circumstances, Dr Mifsud has no alternative. His handling of the situation has offended public opinion and his position is now untenable. The red card is out.