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Prosecution for Rape: the traditional approach from the AG

In the vast majority of alleged rape cases processed by the police and passed over to the Attorney General’s office, the state prosecutor has given a green light for prosecution against suspects to commence.

This transpires from investigations carried out by the MaltaToday team.

Allegations of rape are surprisingly rampant in Malta, with a higher percentage in urban areas. In the procedure the transcription of the allegation made by an alleged rape victim is used.

No medical tests are usually undertaken by any specialised officers. And it is not unusual that reports are lodged some days after the alleged rape.

The officer in charge at the police station usually allows a day or two to pass and then calls in the alleged victim to ensure the first version of the story is corroborated. The alleged aggressor is then called to give his version of the facts. Usually it is a case of the victim’s word against that of the aggressor

The officer in charge then proceeds to send the report on to the superintendent who then passes this once again to the Assistant Commissioner.

After some initial comments, the case is passed on the AG’s office who has traditionally encouraged the commencement of criminal proceedings against the alleged aggressor. Even in the more dubious cases.

Police sources confirm that there have been many cases of prostitutes who have falsely claimed rape by clients who have not paid up or against pimps who fail to sustain them financially.

Once criminal proceedings commence, an alleged aggressor faces the wrath of the system. If the person is a public sector employee he is immediately suspended with half pay.