The first services have started to be provided by the Children’s House, a place that is being used for children to testify in a safe place, in a more suitable environment than that of the Court, where there will be extra tension and pressure.
Children’s House has been operating all its services with effect from January this year as part of the reforms put in place by the Child Protection Act. Minister Michael Falzon visited the house on Tuesday afternoon, along with the Chief Executive of the Foundation for Social Welfare Services, Alfred Grixti, and the Director Steve Libreri.
The Children’s Home is looking after the interests and welfare of children in the judiciary, and seeks to assist Courts and investigative bodies according to their needs, without placing undue burdens on children. . Malta is following the example of Barnahus in Iceland and the Alliance for Children of the United States, so that minors who are victims of violence, or are witnesses of violence, can give their testimony in a safe and good place for them. .
Minister Michael Falzon explained that in addition to aesthetics, which is important, the Children’s Home also invests in a specialized process that will help these children receive support to remember their memories. Professionals who interview children meet with children at the Children’s Home and ask them questions that are intended to help children remember an episode, or episodes, where they have been victims of violence, or have seen violence against others.
