introduction on domestic violence...content introduction aġenzija appoġġ domestic violence unit...
TRANSCRIPT
contentIntroduction
Aġenzija Appoġġ Domestic Violence Unit Managing Abusive Behaviour Services Għabex Emergency Shelter
Emergency Shelter for Adults in Gozo Dar Emmaus- Fondazzjoni Kenn u TamaLegal Aid MaltaMental Health Malta
Fondazzjoni Dar il-Hena Dar Papa Franġisku Dar Maria Dolores
Gozo Social Work UnitKellimni.com
Men Against ViolenceNational Council of Women Malta
Programm Sebħ Dar Qalb ta’ ĠesuRainbow Support Service
St Jeanne Antide Foundation Soar Service The Good Shepherd Sisters Dar Merhba Bik FoundationWomen’s Rights Foundation
Victim Support Malta Victim Support Malta Care For Victims Of Sexual Assault Victim Support Online
Victim Support Unit within the Malta Police Force
Vice Squad
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table of contents
the commission on Domestic Violence
Published by
Continental Business CentreOld Railway TrackSt Venera
2247 3100
domesticviolence.gov.mt
stopviolencemalta
stopviolencemalta
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Domestic violence is an issue that directly affects individuals, and indirectly impacts negatively our society as a whole. The elimination of domestic violence has always been a top priority for this Government, and it is currently being addressed through the legislative amendments being proposed.
The proposed revamping of the Commission on Domestic Violence, together with a number of legal amendments in various laws will not only ensure that society is well informed on issues of violence and their impact, but will also ensure further legal protection to victims of violence, as well making sure that justice is indeed served in these cases.
The legal amendments being proposed would be meaningless without the entities outlined in this booklet. The individuals who work tirelessly in them, ensure the practical implementation of the provisions of the law, and are the people who deal with individual cases with the necessary empathy in such sensitive matters. From dealing with perpetrators of violence to providing refuge to victims, promoting equality between all genders, to giving the necessary legal aid and information, these agencies work together to provide victims with all the help they would require.
There is still much to do in the sector of domestic violence in Malta, however, I highly commend the work of all those involved and look forward to seeing their work being constantly improved in light of the new legislative measures being proposed.
introDuction
dr helena dalliMinister for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties
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domestic Violence unit The Domestic Violence Unit aims to provide quality social work service to adults and their children suffering abuse in family and intimate relationships and is committed to the promotion of a society with zero tolerance to violence. The service’s professional Social Workers provide specialised social work services to victims of domestic violence and their children. It aims at supporting victims at the time of crises by providing them with immediate assistance to meet their urgent needs, helping them develop a safety plan, as well as providing ongoing support.
Għabex emerGency Shelter Għabex Emergency Shelter is committed to provide immediate protection through a safe environment to women and their children suffering violence in family and intimate relationships as well as to women victims of Human Trafficking. The shelter programme is based on the belief that women and children have a right to protection from violence and abuse and that any woman, regardless of socio-economic background, status and age may be subjected to abuse. The service offers a setting conducive to self-healing to women and their children who suffer emotional, physical, sexual and any other form of domestic violence.
managing abusiVe behaViour serVices These services are composed of the Domestic Abuse Intervention Programme and Women Who Use Force. The Domestic Abuse Intervention Programme is a service for men who use abusive behaviour against their female partners. Service users may self-refer. They are engaged in individual sessions and an assessment is done to ensure their eligibility for a group programme. On completion of the programme, service users may attend an open support group. Throughout the process, service users’ abusive beliefs are challenged and they are supported in their change towards more respectful behaviour.
The service Women who use Force, is designed to support women who use force against other adults in a process of exploring safe and respectful behaviour and in making the necessary changes.
36, St Luke’s Road, G’Mangia, PTA 1318, Malta
22959000
/fswsmt/
fsws.gov.mtForming Part oF the Foundation
For social WelFare serVices
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Dar Emmaus welcomes persons who are home less or who need to stay away from home due to domestic violence or some other reason. Persons in such situation are referred to seek shelter at Dar Emmaus by a social worker. Residents can stay at Dar Emmaus for up to 10 days.
During their stay the clients are assisted in their rehabilitation and also assisted to find lodging. Dar Emmaus is preparing a Family Resource Centre which shall be providing professional social care and psychological services including family therapy.
emerGencY shelter for aDults in GoZo
dar emmaus - Fondazzjoni kenn u tama
Dar Emmaus, Belliegħa Street, Victoria, Gozo
21552390, 99866673, 77603330
[email protected] [email protected]
/profile.php?id=100012047410669
kennutama.org
Legal Aid Malta was established in 2014 by legal notice 414/2014 and it provides legal services to indigent people who qualify for legal aid in civil and criminal matters.
Chateau de la Ville, 21, Triq l-Arċisqof, il-Belt Valletta
25674330
mjcl.gov.mt/en/LegalAidMalta/Pages/home.aspx
Mental Health Malta offers training regarding domestic violence to the police force. The service assists NGOs with human resource development.
Mental Health Malta, Educational and Psychological Services, Mount Carmel Hospital, Notabile Road, Attard
21415183
/mentalhealthservicesmalta/
health.gov.mt/en/mch/Pages/home.aspx
mental health malta
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fonDaZZJoni Dar il- hena serVices oFFered by the ministry For the
Family and social solidarity, caritas malta and alF mizzi Foundation.
Dar PaPa FranġiSkuDar Papa Franġisku offers emergency shelter service for males age eighteen and above and has a capacity of twenty (20) beds which are available on a first come first serve basis. Access to the shelter is from 6:00pm and service users are to leave by 9:30am the following morning.
Dar Papa Franġisku also offers a daily meal to those in need, use of shower and laundry facilities. The use of these faciltities is available from Monday to Sunday between 12:00 noon and 2:30pm.
dar maria doloresDar Maria Dolores is an emergency night shelter for women age eighteen and above. It has a capacity of eight (8) beds which are available on a first come first serve basis. Access to the shelter is from 6:00pm and service users are to leave by 9:30am the following morning.
These shelters have been created for those going through great personal hardship. The services available at both emergency shelters are offered free of charge and people who make use of these services are also referred to various agencies and NGOs according to their needs. All those age eighteen and above may make use of these services regardless of religious beliefs, sexual orientation, nationality or ethnicity.
126, Fleur de Lys Road, Birkirkara
27888211, 77026644
[email protected] [email protected]
/fondazzjonidarilhena/
69, Fleur de Lys Road, Birkirkara
21445431
/fondazzjonidarilhena/
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Kellimni.com’s online youth support service offers teenagers and young adults the opportunity to voice their concerns in confidence, anonymously to get support from professionally trained operators. Kellimni.com invites youths to contact an operator through SmartMessaging available through the Kellimni.com App which is downloadable free of charge from the AppStore and PlayStore. Alternatively, send us an email through the Kellimni.com website.
Youths can send in a SmartMessage or Email 24/7 and will receive a reply within 12 hours of submitting a message (excluding Sundays). Youths can also chat with operators to receive immediate real-time support through the website Kellimni.com on Monday - Sunday: 7:00pm to 11:00pm. Youths can also share their experiences with other youths through the Kellimni.com forum.
/kellimni/
kellimni.tumblr.com
pinterest.com/kellimni
weheartit.com/kellimni
kellimni.com
/kellimni
GoZo social WorK unit
Cases of domestic violence are referred to the Gozo Social Work Unit either by the domestic violence survivors themselves or through the police/court authorities, relatives and/or parish priests. Initial assessment is performed and immediate support is given accordingly. The Gozo Social Work Unit works with service users to decide for themselves what the best way forward is once all available resources (in Gozo and in Malta) are explained and made available to them.
Ministry for Gozo, St. Francis Square, Victoria, Gozo
21556630
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The National Council of Women (NCW) offers the following services: the NCW Educational Lifelong Learning programme includes courses in English Language, Maltese, Italian, Mathematics, ICT and others; it reaches out to women and men at risk of domestic violence; it organises and participates in awareness raising campaigns, talks, seminars and conferences. The NCW submits the resolutions on various aspects of legislation and implementation resulting from its annual
general meetings to relevant ministers. It monitors legislation and implementation and preventive measures. The NCW networks and shares good practice with European (ECICW) and International counterparts (ICW) and finally it carries out dissemination through media interventions with the NCW newsletter, print media, Radio and TV, NCW website and Facebook.
national council of Women malta
Pope Pius XII Flats 3/4, Mountbatten Street, Blata l-Bajda HMR 1579
21248881, 21246982
/ncw.malta/
ncwmalta.com
The main objectives of Men Against Violence are threefold;1. Promoting the engagement of men and
boys in activities to prevent all forms of violence.
2. Raising awareness about the effects of the violence committed by men and boys.
3. Foster equality between genders and sexes.
The organization offers tailor made workshops and training on gender equality and violence prevention.
99452835
/Men-Against-Violence-143741 3136479124/
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Dar Qalb ta’ Ġesu is an NGO which offers a programme (Programm Sebħ) supporting women /mothers and their children / adolescents who experienced domestic violence in their homes. It is the only second stage shelter for these families after their initial stay at an emergency shelter. Programm Sebħ offers a therapeutic holistic approach by a team of professionals. Once the family is referred to the shelter by Appoġġ social worker, the family is allocated to a small flat-let within the shelter. This will give more privacy to families so to focus on their respective care plans while supported by
a residential key worker throughout their stay. Once families leave the shelter they are offered a 6 month follow up for further support in settling back into community. Programm Sebħ offers the following services to survivors: a safe, protected environment to live in; support with emotional / psychological matters; support in parenting skills, budgeting skills, home management skills and employment skills. Programm Sebħ assists with alternative accommodation close the termination of their stay at the shelter. It offers support to children and adolescents, organises social events and activities and it also offers spiritual support.
PROGRAMM SEBĦ DAR QAlB tA’ ĠESu [email protected]
The Rainbow Support Service offers the services of Social Workers with the aim to provide support and information to individuals and families who seek the help of the service for a number of reasons, such as issues in coming out, sexual health related issues, intra-personal struggles, inter-personal relationships, and issues in education
and employment. The service is offered to adults and minors. This service aims to offer a constant and consistent social work support service with the aim to outreach to service users who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Intersex and Questioning (LGBTIQ) and their family members.
Malta LGBTIQ Rights Movement, 32, Triq il-Parrocca, Mosta, MST 2021
21430006, 79430006
/rainbowsupportservice/
maltagayrights.org
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SOAR 2180 8981, 2767 2367, 99927872
/soar.malta?fref=ts
antidemalta.org
soar serViceSOAR is a national user-led support service for female survivors of domestic violence and their children. SOAR provides one-to-one support, a support group, and referrals to other services as needed. Monthly social outings are held for those survivors who want to rebuild their social network and make new friends. Creative projects are held from time to time to encourage fellowship and healing. The support service also embarks on advocacy campaigns and initiatives for improved national policy and practices. SOAR designs and delivers training on dating violence and domestic violence for school students of all ages, educators, support workers, the disciplined forces and other interested professionals.
9
21440035
/darmerhbabik/
darmerhbabik.org
The Good Shepherd Sisters – Dar Merhba Bik Foundation offers shelter to women and children who fall victim to abuse in their relationship. The service offered includes counselling to survivors to regain their dignity and self-respect while experiencing security and safety within the residence. In addition the service provides therapy and social work
as necessary. The residents are supported throughout their stay to plan for a different and better future based on self-determination and independence. In so doing the residents are encouraged to seek vocational training and employment for re-integration in society and a quick return to normal living and rewarding relationships.
the GooD shepherD sisters - Dar merhba
biK founDation
Women’s Rights Foundation (WRF) is a voluntary organisation committed to informing, educating and empowering women concerning their legal rights.
WRF aims to ensure that women’s rights are protected through policy and law reform, raise awareness and offer training to end violence against women.
WRF also provides free legal advice and initial legal representation to women who are survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and discriminated against due to their gender.
Training to individuals and organisations on issues related to women’s rights is also provided and can be customised on request.
Women’s Rights Foundation, 203/1, Old Bakery Street, Valletta, Malta
7970 8615
/Womens-Rights-Foundation-352671194861746/
wrf.org.mt
10
21228333
/victimsupportmalta/
victimsupport.org.mt
Victim suPPort maltaVictim Support Malta (VSM) is a registered Non-Governmental organisation which provides support and assistance to victims of crime, such as thefts and burglaries, domestic violence, sexual assault, harassment, discrimination and cybercrime.
The services provided by VSM include the provision of emotional support to assist victims to overcome the trauma following a crime; and legal information pertaining to the relative criminal procedures; the victims’ right to request compensation and to access forms of protection provided by law; liaison with the police; and all other ancillary matters.
care For VictimS oF Sexual aSSault In partnership with the Ministry for Family and Social Solidarity, VSM is also responsible for the provision of specialised services for victims of sexual assault and rape. These include emergency social work services at the hospital or police station, psychotherapeutic assistance following the assault, and full legal representation parte civile. This service is available for persons of any gender, over the age of 18.
Victim suPPort onlineVictim support online is an online service provided by Victim Support Malta, in partnership with SOS Malta. The aim of Victim Support Online is to provide support to victims of crime through the mediums of chat and e-mail. Our staff at Victim Support Online are trained in providing professional support to its service users in relation to criminal offences.
This is done in an anonymous and confidential manner. Feel free to speak to us in order for you to get hold of the right information and support you need to take back control in your own life.
/victimsupportonline/
vso.org.mt
22942160
As part of its transformation process, the Malta Police Force, a primary actor within the criminal justice system and the agency which most of the time is the first to come in contact with victims of crime, has now set up a Victim Support Unit. It started functioning in January 2017, and officially launched by the Ministry for Home Affairs and National Security on the 19th April 2017.
The functions of the Victim Support Unit are to:• provide a single point of contact for
victims of crime, especially the most vulnerable victims, shortly after lodging a police report;
• provide crisis counselling services to victims of crime, depending on the nature and severity of the particular case;
• implement tools and procedures that will help police officers to provide for the minimum standards on the rights, support and protection to victims of crime;
• facilitate effective and timely referrals to other support services;
• monitor the number of victims that are accessing their rights and victim support services provided by the Police Force;
• deliver appropriate and ongoing training on victims-centered practices;
• establish an effective communication and working relationship with key stakeholders, both government and non- governmental agencies.
The Victim Support Unit will assist victims through their needs and concerns and provides them with adequate support. The services offered within the Unit will help to minimize the adverse emotional and psychological stresses of victims of crime and also caters for the various police obligations emanating from the Victims of Crime Act, Chapter 539 of the Laws of Malta. Amongst others, Chapter 539 requires the Executive Police to provide victims with written acknowledgement of receipt of complaints, information about non-institution of criminal proceedings, and referral to victim support services.
The Victim Support Unit has also published a Victims of Crime leaflet, containing standard police procedures, which are distributed and made available in all police districts/ branches. Victims will be offered to be referred to the Victim Support Unit for further support and information, and if they accept they will be contacted by the Unit immediately.
Victim support unit Within the malta
police force
This Squad was set up in the early 1980s, with subsequent tasks revolving in investigations concerning drug abuse and related crimes, whilst the Vice Squad concentrated exclusively on issues of vice and domestic violence.
The exigencies of the work did not permit for such work to operate under one roof, and in November 1995, the Drug Squad was set-up, leaving the Vice Squad to delve further in domestic issues.
The promptness this Squad relates to issues reported, had gained the trust of organizations that work in the field of abuse, such as Agenzija APPOGG, the Child Protection Services within the Education Department and other NGOs that give shelter to battered and abused women.
Curbing the loitering and soliciting for prostitution is an everyday duty of this squad, so much so that around 200 male and female prostitutes are charged in Court each year with such offences. Apart from this, the phenomena of Trafficking of Human Beings for prostitution purposes have been successfully investigated with persons charged in Court.
Another relatively new crime is “pedophilia” or as it is commonly known as “child pornography”. This is more rampant via the internet and close collaboration with the Cyber Crime Unit have rendered very positive results.
Other cases related to this squad are missing persons, sexual offences, illegal gambling and trafficking of human beings for exploitations.
Vice squaD 112 / 21224001
thanK You
