Persons with disabilities who are also victims of a crime will find more support as a new agreement was signed between the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the Victim Support Agency (VSA).
The agreement stipulates that these two entities will assist and cooperate with each other to support victims of crimes through a common referral system for service users, where they can be referred by one of these two entities to more effective service.
The agreement also states that the two entities will cooperate with each other to increase awareness of victims’ rights and encourage more victims to report and seek support and that they will continue to address the needs and realities that confront the disabled.
These details were announced by the Minister for Inclusion and Volunteering Julia Farrugia Portelli, and the Minister for the Interior, Security, Reforms and Equality Byron Camilleri, during a ceremony in which this agreement was signed a new agreement.
The Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli described this agreement as a crucial one and which will continue to shed light on the realities faced by persons with disabilities in some of the most difficult phases of their lives. “We will take the greatest satisfaction if no one needs the services that will be offered through this agreement, but we are convinced that through it we will strengthen the help and service we offer to people who are already vulnerable and who they will need help”, stated Minister Farrugia Portelli.
Minister Byron Camilleri stressed that during the few years that the Victim Support Agency has been operating it is achieving its goal of providing different services to victims and those who are going through difficult times. “This agreement will make it possible for the Agency to not only offer a service but to offer a better and more informed service to people with disabilities in moments of vulnerability”, concluded Minister Camilleri.
The Commissioner for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Rhoda Garland met this agreement with satisfaction and emphasized that this will ensure that persons with disabilities who are victims of any crime will receive more support and that the services provided is more accessible.
VSA CEO Brian Farrugia said victims of crime with disabilities face unique realities and challenges. Therefore with this agreement the two entities will continue to work so that the support service is more inclusive, and strengthened with professional training in the sector.
Through this agreement, the Commission will assist the VSA to incorporate a more inclusive philosophy in the provision of services, as well as collaborate on the exchange of knowledge and promotion for dedicated training and opportunities teaching for staff. On the other hand, the VSA will provide the necessary support and assistance to the victims, including individual assessments of the victims and also provide emotional support, information and guidance while raising awareness and promoting the rights of the victims.
Present for the signing were the Permanent Secretaries Nancy Caruana and Joyce Dimech.
