Findings that Gozitan abuse victims seek the help of priests indicate trust but also signal that services have to improve, according to Gozo Bishop Mario Grech.

Mgr Grech said the results of a study by the government’s social welfare agency were a credit to parish priests in his diocese.

“This means parish priests are still in touch with the people and are fulfilling their mission to accompany people in their difficulties,” Mgr Grech said.

It filled him with “pastoral satisfaction” that Gozitans still trusted their parish priests with their problems, he added. “In my message for Lent I stressed the importance for us to help those who weep out of sorrow.”

I never tire of saying that support services for the vulnerable and abuse victims in Gozo should be as good as anywhere else

But Mgr Grech also called for support services in Gozo to improve. “I never tire saying that support services for the vulnerable and abuse victims in Gozo should be as good as anywhere else.”

The study by the Foundation of Social Welfare Services found that in the first half of last year just three in every 1,000 Gozitans sought support from the various State support agencies. The number was significantly higher in other regions across Malta.

Commenting on the findings, the foundation’s chief executive, Alfred Grixti, said there was clear evidence that social cases in Gozo were “underreported”.

However, he acknowledged that in most Gozitan cases, incidents of domestic violence and other abuse were reported to parish priests.

He said the State welfare agencies had to establish a stronger presence on the ground in Gozo to reach out to victims there.

Mr Grixti noted that part of the problem could be addressed by transferring Gozitan social workers and carers who were currently employed in Malta.

Only 123 cases in Gozo reached the agencies Appoġġ, Sapport and Sedqa between January and June last year. In contrast, each of the four Maltese regions recorded more than 2,100 cases during the same period.

The southeastern region alone – Valletta, Cottonera, Marsa, Paola down to Żejtun, and Marsaxlokk – had more than 2,800 cases.

kurt.sansone@timesofmalta.com