Caritas Malta and the Victim Support Agency signed an agreement that will improve their cooperation.

Through this agreement, a common referral system is going to be established where service users can access support services more easily.

The agreement was signed by Caritas director Anthony Gatt, Victim Support Agency CEO Brian Farrugia, in the presence of Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri.

Camilleri said that this agreement proves the practicality of the two entities. "By working together, they can provide a better sense of protection and aid to people who are victims of criminality. This will also create a central system used for referrals which will avoid, as much as possible, double victimisations."

"The needs of victims vary from day to day and this process starts from the day a crime was committed to the day the court process concludes. We need to provide services for these people at all stages of this process," Camilleri said.

Farrugia continued on Camilleri's words and said that "all victims have the right to be treated with respect as well as to be given respectful treatment. Together, we can work to help victims with all the information they need, legal support and emotional support free of charge and confidentially."

The agreement also states that workers from both entities will receive the same training in an efficient manner in order to be as prepared as possible to help people.

Gatt said that "Caritas is always looking to collaborate with various entities be it government, church or private sector, in order to develop the idea of a holistic approach when caring for victims of crime."