The new ‘proactive’ law on the prevention of domestic violence will give the tools to help potential victims of domestic violence, with the Victim Support Agency and the police having a maximum of seven working days to provide information to an individual if their partner has had a history of domestic violence.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri and Parliamentary Secretary for Reforms Rebecca Buttigieg gave details of how a victim, or a potential victim of domestic violence, can request for information on their partner.
In May, the prevention of domestic violence bill passed through Parliament, with the new legislation aiming to provide a new tool and support for individuals at risk of domestic violence.
The law will allow individuals in intimate relationships to submit an application to the Victim Support Agency, to verify if their partner has a history of domestic violence.
A person can file a report by either visiting the agency’s main office in Valletta, locate the VSA ‘hubs found in various localities, or filling in an online form.
“Domestic violence is one of the largest plagues in our society. Our obligation as government and as a society is to prevent this, but also to strengthen our system so that potential victims and victims can find help,” Camilleri said.
Camilleri gave some pointers on how a person can seek for help if they are at risk of domestic violence.
He said that there needs to be a relationship between the potential victim and the partner they suspect, which needs to be proven to the police or VSA members by simple means, such as messages or pictures, reassuring authorities that there is a relation between the parties, and that they can help.
The person who is at risk of domestic violence can be in cohabitation, marriage or an informal relationship with their partner.
Camilleri said that the ‘proactive’ mechanism has its safeguards, to ensure that people cannot request this information on their neighbour, or if they have no relation to the person.
The potential victim, or victim can then make a submission for a meeting with the police forces within the VSA, and request information on their partner’s history, only if they have been found guilty.
On this, Buttigieg continued that information on a partner’s allegations of domestic violence, or pending cases in court regarding domestic violence, cannot be revealed.
After a confirmation by authorities that the victim will indeed be given the information requested, the VSA has a maximum of seven days of work to issue a warning, as well as information, on the partner of a potential victim/victim.
The structure within the VSA includes a team of professionals from many sectors, which will also provide help, as well as legal avenues, of what a victim or potential victim could do if they find that their partner has a history of domestic violence, Camilleri said.
He also said that the law serves as a ‘heads up’ for potential victims, and at the end of the day, the decision will be left in the hands of the individual.
Buttigieg said that today, nobody regards domestic violence as something which happens only between four walls, and that society is more involved.
She appealed for people, particularly the majority who are women, to seek help if their partner is showing signs which could escalate into domestic violence.
Psychological support if necessary will be provided to the inquiring person, Buttigieg said, adding that the fact that an individual went to the agency in the first place is a red flag in the relationship.