President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca inaugurated Dar Emmaus, a home for victims of domestic violence, during a visit to Gozo today.

She said the purpose of the home was not only to provide shelter, but to support victims through various ways, including counselling, legal and medical advice and a psychological service.

She spoke of how victims often spent many years suffering in silence before managing to stand on their own two feet.

The home is to be run by Fondazzjoni Kenn u Tama.

Those present included Gozo Minister Anton Refalo and Social Policy Minister Michael Farrugia.

During her visit to Gozo President Coleiro-Preca heard Mass at  Fondazzjoni Arka, met a group of Danish youths with disabilities, laid flowers on the War Memorial in Victoria and the monument to Preisident Anton Buttigieg in Qala and also laid flowers at Xewkija cemetery, where President Censu Tabone is buried.