[WATCH] Bartolo against publication of names of persons accused of child abuse

Education minister Evarist Bartolo says that children need to be taught about their responsibilities, not only their rights • Video Ray Attard

Press laws should be updated so that the media doesn’t name people charged in court with child abuse before they are found guilty, education minister Evarist Bartolo said. 

"This will help ease the minds of educators who are afraid that children might falsely accuse them of sexual abuse," Bartolo said, while calling for consistency in police investigations on sexual abuse and for a faster judicial process. 

He was speaking at a conference held by the Malta Teachers' Union to discuss legal and ethical implications of educators working with minors.

A survey recently carried out by the MUT shows that 84% of educators believe that the identity of people charged with child abuse should not be exposed until the court finds them guilty.

Bartolo also said that children must be taught about their responsibilities.

"Children are often taught about their rights but, just as importantly, they need to be taught about their responsibilities," Bartolo said.

"False accusations of child abuse can damage a person, both psychologically and in terms of their career."

However, he said that some teachers must earn their respect from children by, for example, dressing decently in class.

"I am shocked at how indecently some teachers, both males and females, dress in classrooms," bartolo said. "Clothes are strong modus of communication and these teachers send out a contradictory message to students who, after all, have to dress smartly in schools."