The meeting with Minister Cristina took place on Friday 23 September 2011 at 3.00pm at Palazzo Ferreria. Present was also Dr Roberta Avellino. MCWO was represented by Renee Laiviera, Chair, Lorraine spiteri and Lydia Sciberras, Executive Council Members.
The Chair submitted MCWO list of proposals on changes to the 2006 Domestic Violence Act, to the strengthening of structures, particularly the Commission on Domestic Violence, and to the need to increase both financial and human resources. The need for Maltese legislation and structures to be in line with the Council of Europe Convention on the Elimination of Violence against Women and Domestic Violence was emphasised in order for Malta to be in a position to ratify this Convention in the shortest delay possible.
We went through the proposals one by one, highlighting the need to redefine ‘household member’, the onus of reporting/forgiving on the victim, the need for perpetrators’ to be seen to be answering society for their actions, the courts’ discretion in discontinuing hearing cases, among various other issues raised. Emphasis was also made on the need of training for all stake holders particularly the police. Inter-disciplinary processes need to be introduced for effective actions as well as clear protocols for stakeholders.
The meeting was concluded by asking the Minister when the amendments to the law would be presented to Parliament. She said that there was quite a workload but promised to do her best to include the amendments to this law in the cabinet’s agenda.
