Victim Support Unit to ‘add human dimension’ to Police work

The launch of the Victim Support Unit will add a human dimension to a police force which is currently mainly focused on investigating crime, said Home Affairs minister Carmelo Abela this afternoon.

Speaking at the launch of the unit, Abela said that in many cases the importance of supporting victims is recognised on paper, but little is done in practice.

“We often speak about victims but we don't always help them out as much as we should,” said Abela. "Through this initiate we will hopefully start to bring together the human and investigative side of the police's work."

The minister explained that the launch of the support unit follows a pilot project which started in January and which has since offered help to roughly 40 victims a month, with the majority being women.

He said the unit will operate out a newly set up office at the Police Headquarters in Floriana.

“The office is designed to allow victims to feel comfortable and to ensure that there is no contact with their aggressors,” he said, adding that every case will be treated individually and according to the needs of the victim in question.

The minister stressed that one of the support unit’s objectives will be to ensure that established procedures are followed officers are in contact with the victims of crime. This was especially true of district police, who are more often than not make first contact with victims, said Abela.

Inspector Silvana Gafa, a criminologist, will be running the unit which will initially have four staff members. She said that the Victim Support Unit will aim to be “the point of contact” for all victims of crime in Malta and will work closely with NGOs were necessary to offer appropriate support. 

Gafa said that last year alone, 17,298 crimes were reported in Malta. “Each crime leaves at least one victim, sometimes more,” she said, adding that the needs of victims ranged from emotional support to being given information.

In addition to this, the unit will also offer information on matters like obtaining legal aid, court proceedings and the right to compensation, said Gafa.

Moreover, she stressed that the unit will be focusing on training district police officers, many of whom are already undergoing training on handling cases of abuse against minors.

People filing a report with the police will be asked whether they would like to make use of the service as they file their report. Alternatively, one can contact the support unit on 112 or (+356) 22942160.