From Ms S. Gatt

What is happening in the courts this week? Are the judges’ brains on vacation? Because yet again crimes against women in this country are not being cracked down on as they should:

Jail term converted to conditional discharge

Jail term for partners in crime of rape changed to suspended sentence and supervision order

Man put on probation for assaulting girlfriend

When will the justice system wake up? We live in a small country where marital abuse is reduced to a slap on the wrist of the offender who is told not to do it again. Regardless of whether the abuse is against a man or woman, a human life is worth more than a partner being scared of retaliation for the rest of her/his life. Please don’t try and convince me that all offenders have reformed, they now have the added anger of being locked up. Can you promise victims that this will never happen to them again? Can the justice system protect them if revenge is taken? The answer is no. Victims spend the rest of their lives scared, always looking over their shoulder. Perhaps they should leave the country as Malta is small and escape from anyone is impossible. However, that’s impossible as well, as many people in this situation are not in a financial position to do so. The “safe houses” are full to overflowing with battered women who seek refuge there. Does this not tell our politicians and honourable lawmen that there is a massive problem which is not being addressed? Probably not. They’re on a mental vacation, or to be politically correct, “summerly” challenged.

Sarah Gatt

SENGLEA