Foundation for victims of crime

Victim Support Malta (VSM), which offers support and information to victims of crime, has become a foundation.

The voluntary organisation started operating in 2003 on the initiative of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl, which is part of the foundation Daritama, an NGO started by prisoners and which strives to bolster justice in Malta.

VSM works in close collaboration with the government and other service institutions, especially the police. Last April it signed a protocol with the police by which victims of crime are referred to VSM.

VSM is mainly self-funded and has so far been heavily supported by Daritama. It will now have to support itself to continue providing a service to victims. It therefore feels that financial help from the government is essential.

"Victims of crime are no longer the forgotten players within Malta's criminal justice system, and forming this foundation will strengthen the service and give it legal status," said Pamela Hansen, the first director of the foundation.

The offices of VSM are at 205/1 Vincenti Buildings, Old Bakery Street, Valletta. Victims can contact the support agency 24 hours a day on 2122 8333.

The foundation's e-mail is info@victimsupportmalta.org and the website is www.victimsupportmalta.org. For more information call Ms Hansen on 9987 5917.