A sexual assault response team will be set up within Mater Dei Hospital to ensure victims are provided with a broad range of support and to ensure offenders face justice, Nationalist Party whip David Agius said.
A quarter of women have been physically, emotionally or sexually abused
He was speaking during a seminar on domestic violence organised by the Commission on Domestic Violence.
Mr Agius said the Government, together with the commission and the Attorney General, was working on the ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence.
Lawyer Roberta Avellino said the convention introduced new crimes that were not listed under Maltese law. These included forced sterilis-ation, forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
The convention was signed by Malta in May. So far it has only been ratified by Turkey. It only comes into force when it is ratified by at least 10 countries.
The convention is the first legally-binding instrument in the world creating a comprehensive legal framework to prevent violence, protect victims and end the impunity of offenders. It defines and criminalises various forms of violence against women, including stalking, physical and psychological violence and sexual violence.
A 2010 study on the prevalence of domestic violence in Malta showed that a quarter of women were physically, emotionally or sexually abused by their husband or partner.
Emotional abuse emerged as the most prevalent, followed by physical and sexual abuse. The results also showed that 11 per cent had contemplated suicide and some had actually tried to end their lives.
More than half of the abused women never sought help. Of those who did, about a quarter went to the police.
The seminar was organised to mark the international day for the elimination of violence against women, celebrated tomorrow. A walk in protest against domestic violence was held in Valletta yesterday evening expressing solidarity towards victims.
More support
SOAR, a new support group, has been set up by victims and survivors of domestic violence with the support of St Jeanne Antide Foundation.
Elaine Compagno, who launched the new group yesterday, said the aim was to help victims move on and rebuild the life skills and self-assertiveness they could have lost during their difficult experience.
Those wishing to contact SOAR can send an e-mail to soarmalta@gmail.com, find SOAR Malta on Facebook or call the found-ation on 21808981 and ask for Kim.
Aġenzija Appoġġ, which is part of the Found-ation for Social Welfare Services, offers a service to help victims and another one to help perpetrators change their aggressive behaviour. For more information call 2295 9000 or visit appogg.gov.mt.
The convention makes sure governments…
Set up a national helpline to make sure victims get assistance or information.
Ensure police treat victims with respect and carry out a proper investigation.
Grant police the power to remove the violent partner from the house.
Conduct awareness-raising campaigns.
Train professionals working with victims.
Provide specialised support services to women and their children.
Ensure all forms of violence against women are criminalised and appropriately punished.
Ensure victims have access to special protection measures during investigation.