Updated | Sliema attack: Police charged aggressor despite victim’s refusal to cooperate

Domestic violence incident caught on mobile phone

The police have announced they have issued charges against the aggressor in a domestic violence incident that took place earlier in the week on BIsazza Street, Sliema, despite the victim’s refusal to cooperate.

Police’s alleged inaction on the case, it turns out that Rapid Intervention Unit officers had already been despatched to the scene of the crime.

“The shop-owner refused to press charges on what was minimal damage, while the victim refused to cooperate with the police to identify the aggressor. Eventually the police did identify the aggressor and has issued charges against him,”

Earlier today, various organisations demanded that the police investigate the video shared on WhatsApp on Wednesday 27 February of the aggressor kicking open a glass door and assaulting an unidentified person inside the shop. A scream can be clearly heard at the point of impact.

“We are very disappointed to hear that no police action has been duly taken against the visible and identifiable aggressor that intentionally went in a rage to attack his partner at her place of work,” Lara Dimitrijevic, director of the Women’s Rights Foundation, said, before the police statement was released.

In a statement by WRF and several organisations – the Association for Equality, Dar Merhba Bik Foundation, Fondazzjoni Sebh, Malta Confederation of Women Organisations, Malta Association of Women in Business, Men Against Violence, and the St. Jeanne Antide Foundation – Dimitrijevic reiterated that domestic violence, including intimate partner violence, was a criminal offence.

“It is an offence that need not rely on the complaint of the injured party. When brought to the attention, authorities have the obligation to exercise due diligence, investigate and take the necessary criminal action. No complaint from the injured party is required in such cases,” Dimitrijevic said.

“Time and time again we hear of women complaining about how the police have refused to take their report, failed to investigate and/or never issued charges pertaining to their case. Given the lack of action in this case, when there is clear evidence of domestic violence, confirms further their stories.”

Dimitrijevic said domestic violence was not a private matter but a matter of public concern and an offence against everyone. “Shrugging off the matter by simply claiming that no one came forward or was reluctant to speak, does not suffice. Malta is bound by legal standards and is responsible for its failure to protect. We call on the authorities to investigate and take action with immediate effect, failure of which, we call on government to investigate and publicly explain why the respective authorities have failed to take such action.”