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Family and Social Solidarity Minister Dolores Cristina yesterday told MaltaToday harsher sentences had to be handed down for sex offenders, reacting to statistics conforming the leniency of the judiciary in such cases.
“Sentencing should reflect the gravity of the crime, and paedophilia is a serious crime among others. Sentences being handed down to those guilty of paedophilia leave much to be desired. They should be harsher.”
In comments on Radju Malta’s Shibbolet, Cristina yesterday said MFA president Joe Mifsud should not remain at the football association’s helm after his handling of a child sex abuse case in which an MFA employee at Pace Grasso stadium was found guilty. Mifsud resisted pressure to terminate the groundsman’s employment, and then claimed a first-time offender should not be considered a paedophile. He then barred the school where the victim attends from using the ground for their sports activities.
“I think the MFA should consider asking him to resign,” Cristina said.
Attempts to contact MFA president Joe Mifsud proved futile yesteday.
Children’s Commissioner Sonia Camilleri yesterday also confirmed the general public’s feeling that sentences for sexual offenders were indeed too lenient. She called on government to review sentencing guidelines.
“Harsher penalties would not be enough to dissuade this type of criminal. It is common knowledge that child sex abusers are even mistreated by fellow prisoners. Even this does not seem to be enough of a deterrent to potential offenders. I hope we start considering rehabilitation programmes for these people accompanied by court sentences in future.
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