Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri launched a new investment in the police force, a domestic violence training simulator for members of the police be more empathetic with victims, while he announced that a specialised squad is being setup to tackle domestic violence cases. 

This was announced during a press conference on Monday morning during which the press had the chance to see the simulation in action. 

Upon putting on the Virtual Reality (VR) headset, the police person finds themselves inside the body of a seven-year-old child who is witnessing domestic violence between her parents. 

Police Commissioner Angelo Gafa explained that this is meant to make members of the police force more empathetic towards situations as they live through the intensity of this experience. 

The stimulation does not show an excessive amount of violence which Gafa explained is the case in most reports they receive. This was done in order to show that all cases are important, no matter how grave the violence is. He added that sometimes, help tends to stop with the victim “but we have to understand that children could be involved as well and the impact it leaves on them, which is why the police person experiences this training through the eyes of a child.” 

Gafa explained that domestic violence is the third most reported crime in Malta, with a 15% increase from last year. 

“This is a crime that happens inside the house so our challenge is to get them out of their and reporting the case to us. They will only do this if we make a conscious effort to encourage them as this project aims to do.” 

Gafa said that he does not want to keep this only within the police force only. In fact, we are contacting the courts to inform the perpetrators of this simulation to understand the impact this crime leaves on their children – “we mean business when we say we will work on domestic violence.” 

Minister Camilleri said that this is a €115,000 investment to be used for in-service training as well as for new recruits to put them into perspective of a domestic violence victim. 

“The message behind the announcement of this launch is because we want to show society out there that the police force is sensitive to the difficult situation that there are in society. There are some situations that you cannot understand unless you experience it or at least speak with someone who experienced it.” 

Camilleri explained that, unfortunately, there members in the force that do not know how to empathise with people, which is unacceptable, so, work on human resources is the key for victims to get the best service possible. 

“The next step is a specialised force on domestic violence,” he added. “It is humanly impossible for all members of the force to be an expert in each sector, so we need a specialised force. An internal call has already been relayed among the force and results will come out in the coming weeks.” 

There will be two specialised squads; one in the north and one in the south of Malta. When someone goes to report at the station, the stationed police will report to the squad, the squad will go to the victim’s place and take them to a secure space that is not the police station. 

Camilleri appealed for victims to come forward and report or speak with NGOs for guidance while also encouraging anyone to report any cases where the police force does not show empathy.