The Agency for Victims of Crime assisted more than 144 people in Gozo, with the most who sought help being victims of domestic violence.
With the aim of continuing to extend its services to the people of Gozo, the second new regional center was inaugurated in the Local Council of Gharb, Gozo, by the Minister for the Interior, Security and Work Byron Camilleri and the -Minister for Gozo and Planning Clint Camilleri.
This regional center will be used for legal services to victims. The service from this center will begin to be given by appointment and victims will be able to talk to legal professionals to be given free legal aid and information about criminal proceedings in court.
Two years ago, the Agency for Victims of Crime opened a regional center in Xewkija which provides emotional support and therapy to victims of crime who experience difficulties due to the trauma they go through.
Minister Byron Camilleri said that the center in Gharb is a link from a chain of other centers that are already operating in Santa Lucija, Qawra and Xewkija. He also referred to the personalized tool that will be given to those who are victims of domestic violence.
“Through the Crime Victims Agency we are reaching our goal of assisting as many victims of crime as possible. We are doing this not only from the main office in Valletta, but with services spread throughout Malta and Gozo, ” Minister Byron Camilleri concluded.
Minister Clint Camilleri said that after an office was opened in Xewkija which gives support to the victims of any crime who feel the need to talk and get advice, today in Gozo a second office is being opened in Gharb . “With this initiative we can reach more victims so that they can find the support that is needed in particular in those difficult moments,” concluded Minister Camilleri.
The Chief Executive for the Agency for Victims of Crime Brian Farrugia said that in collaboration with the Local Council of Gharb a new and safe space is being given to the victims of crime which complements the other center in Xewkija. He said that as an agency the process will be continued to strengthen the services in Gozo also with the help of public entities and Gozitan voluntary associations.
