NGO urges proper implementation of crime victims' law

NGO urges proper implementation of crime victims' law. Video by Ray Attard

Legislation passed in April to protect victims of crime is not being implemented in practices, a NGO that provides support to crime victims warned.

“Although the law was enacted in April, many measures have not been effective in practice,” Victim Support Malta chairperson Roberta Lepre told a press conference, citing a recent case whereby a burglary victim was left uninformed about investigation developments, discovered that certain case details were left out of a police report, and was made to testify in court in the presence of the burglar.

“Closer cooperation should exist between entities that provide services to crime victims – such as hospitals, police and potentially embassies,” she said. “Victims deserve the same level of support as the accused.”

The EU Victims’ Directive, which aims to protect crime victims from further distress and intimidation, was transposed into domestic law in April this year.

“The implementation of laws is often problematic, and such problems can only be overcome through cooperation between entities,” Lepra said, while calling for training to be granted to officials who come into contact with crime victims so that they can fully understand these new laws.

“We need to spread awareness amongst both the public and professionals involved in the sector,” she said.

The press conference was also addressed by Nationalist MEP Roberta Metsola by video, who said that legislation on crime victims must be combined with other non-legisltative measures.

16,648 crimes were reported in Malta in 2014, a year in which Victim Support Malta worked with 76 crime victims.