The third hub dedicated to victims of domestic violence and gender-based violence is set to open its doors this month in Mtarfa, as works on the facility are in their final stages, the police said Thursday.

The hub will operate on a 24-hour basis throughout the year. It follows the opening of the first such centre in Santa Luċija, in February 2024, and another one in Victoria. The initial police statement had not included Victoria.

The Malta Police Force said it has been working on the modernisation of the former Mtarfa Police Station, transforming it into a specialised hub from which the Domestic Violence and Gender-Based Violence Unit will operate.

The Mtarfa centre will provide a range of support services and professional assistance delivered by police officers, trained personnel, professionals in the field, and various entities involved in victim support. The hub is designed to offer an appropriate and private environment for victims, including facilities that allow victims to give their testimony away from the presence of the alleged aggressor.

Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà said that in the first five years since the establishment of the Domestic Violence and Gender-Based Violence Unit within the Police Force, reports of domestic violence increased by almost 70%. He explained that this rise was not coincidental, but the direct result of a more professional, sensitive and empathetic service, together with continuous investment in training, awareness and education.

Gafà added that the positive changes implemented by the Police Force in this sector over the past five years have been significant. He noted that the latest Eurostat survey shows Malta recording the highest rate of reported gender-based violence in Europe, at 48%, nearly double the European average of 26%.

During this period, services in this area have been substantially strengthened in terms of both human resources and infrastructure. The Police Force now has around 70 officers working exclusively in this sector, including in Gozo.