Following a meeting with representatives of the Commission on Domestic Violence, Alternattiva Demokratika Chairperson Dr Harry Vassallo said that public service agencies dealing with cases of domestic violence were not in a position to cope with the number of cases which are referred to them every time the subject of domestic violence is highlighted in the media.

"The absence of trained personnel even to run prevention programmes in parishes and schools as well as facilities to deal with the demand for such services should not be a reasonable excuse for denying assistance to domestic violence survivors," Dr Vassallo said.

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He added that the consultation meeting with the Commission was part of a series which the Commission held with the three principal political parties to secure their assistance in its efforts. "I have no doubt that all political parties agree that every effort must be made to eliminate domestic violence. However Alternattiva Demokratika which is the only political party committed to non-violence by statute and which has exercised positive discrimination in the appointment of its officials since 1989, feels it must show a greater commitment in addressing this social plague," Dr Vassallo added.

"The Commission is doing excellent work in having the issue addressed professionally and in scientifically gathering reliable data. The Commission is also creating a greater awareness of domestic violence both with the public and with all those who must deal with it as part of their public service" Dr Vassallo said "However the first target should be the dedication of sufficient funds to acquire the facilites and human resources necessary in every field in order to provide adequate assistance," Dr Vassallo said.

Victor Galea, AD Secretary General and Spokesperson for Gozo, said that AD made a number of comments and suggestions to the Commission at the meeting. "We suggested that at the new hospital there should be a number of doctors with specialized training on domestic violence and that certificates issued by them should be taken as sufficient evidence by the courts without requiring confirmation on oath or presence in court other than in exceptional cases. There is a possibility that some cases treated in hospital may remain submerged if the consequence of identifying them as such causes intolerable burdens on an overstretched medical service. A professional guideline to various stakeholders such as lawyers, priests, police and family doctors is much needed.

Victor Galea added that it was good to hear that the police had issued an internal circular to all its officers on domestic violence. "However such matters should not be confidential in order to secure greater accountability and the possibility of remedy for those who are not assisted in terms of this policy" Galea said. "The survivor of domestic violence would be subjected to a second violence if on reaching out for assistance this is refused or not adequately provided because of lack of training or facilities. It is not easy to accept that a shelter for battered women in Gozo has been closed, subject to refurbishment, for the past nine years."

Dr Vassallo said that it would be fitting recognition of the Commission's efforts if, in the budget due in a few days time, sufficient funds were dedicated to implement a long term plan to address this social ill. The support which all three political parties surely show that Commission should encourage the government to take immediate action to allow all those presently engaged in dealing with the problem to deal with it adequately."