Having to repeat the trauma of sexual assault to workers in different care structures takes its toll on the victim, but a holistic service is promising to end this.
The Sexual Assault Response Team (Sart), which is operating from Mater Dei Hospital, will be providing the 24-hour, on-call service of a doctor, nurse, social worker, psychologist and police to provide victims with the dignity and treatment needed to help them recover.
Announced yesterday by Social Solidarity Minister Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, the unit had been in the offing since 2009 when a task force had been appointed to draw up a report.
When Ms Coleiro Preca took on the ministry last year she tasked the National Commission Against Domestic Violence with reviving the report, and through the collaboration of the Home Affairs and Health ministries, the unit was set up.
Victim Support Malta will be running the unit through a public social partnership, which saw the government pump €40,000 into this initiative.
Last year there were just 11 reported cases of assault by people over 18 but the commission is convinced this is only the tip of the iceberg as many are too scared to report abuse.
“This will provide social justice to the victims who previously received fragmented care. It will fill a void for those who need help to address their fear, anger, guilt and self-confidence,” Health Minister Godfrey Farrugia said.
He said this unit formed part of the sexual health strategy and he stressed it was a person’s right to express his or her sexuality free of abuse.
Those who feel victimised can turn up at the unit, call 179 or turn up at a police station and they will be referred.
Ms Coleiro Preca and social workers present for the press conference said it was crucial for victims to understand that sexual assault and abuse also happened within marriage and relationships.
This will provide social justice to the victims who previously received fragmented care
She added that on Wednesday, Parliament would embark on the first reading for the ratification of the Istanbul Convention, aimed at preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.
Asked if there would be an offshoot branch of the unit for victims in Gozo, Ms Coleiro Preca admitted she was ashamed that Sart would only be available in Malta for the time being.
However, she was looking into improving the services in Gozo and said the government would be looking into developing similar initiatives.