Malta is a model for other countries when it comes to children's rights, Family Minister Michael Falzon said in a statement.

"We are close to implementing a holistic law giving more rights to children, and victims of abuse," he said.

He was addressing a conference called 'Stop Sexual Violence on Children' in Paris.

The minister spoke about the Child Protection bill, which has passed throught he first phase in Parliament. This new law, he said, ensures that a person who acts violently or abusively will be dealt with immediately, adding that this runs contrary to the law today where it is often the children and the parent who is a victim who have to leave the residence.

The law will also see a someone assigned as person responsible to the more vulnerable children, due to the particular situation they might find themselves in, he said.