Call for guidelines over child offenders’ register

Judges and magistrates should be provided with clear guidelines on how to list people on the child offenders’ register to ensure it is implemented consistently, according to Victim Support Malta.

The new tool cannot effectively protect children from crime unless it is applied whenever possible

The NGO, which offers support to victims of crime, believes the lack of guidelines will only lead to “inconsistencies and injustices” in implementing the law aimed at protecting children from abuse.

The register was made available as from January 20 when the Protection of Minors’ Act came into force. However, so far, no one is listed, even though 14 people were found guilty of abusing minors since. Eight of them appealed, a spokesman for the Justice Ministry said.

The names of people convicted of offences involving children can be listed on the register but it is at the discretion of judges and magistrates whether to do so.

The fact that no names have been listed on the register so far is to former Justice Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici, who spearheaded the law, “a clear indication of the conservative mentality of the courts”.

He called on the judiciary to make use of the “very good instrument” made available to them to protect children.

A similar call was made by Children’s Commissioner Helen D’Amato. She said the new tool could not effectively protect children from crime unless it was applied whenever possible.

Victim Support Malta said that while the government’s initiative to enact the law was commendable, the Administration now had to ensure action was taken to protect victims.

“Victim Support Malta encourages the drawing up of guidelines that would assist the relevant stakeholders in implementing the relevant legal provisions within the spirit of the law and, thus, reduce inconsistencies and injustices that may sometimes arise in the absence of clear guidelines,” it said.

The organisation also encouraged the government to establish minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime.

This is so they can seek and obtain justice through appropriate support and for the prevention of further victimisation.