Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1088108
NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 3 MARCH 2019 MATTHEW VELLA THE police yesterday an- nounced they had issued charg- es against the aggressor in a domestic violence incident that took place earlier in the week on Bisazza Street, Sliema, despite the victim's refusal to cooperate. After concerns mounted over the police's alleged inaction on the case, it turns out that Rapid Intervention Unit officers had already been despatched to the scene of the crime. "The shop-owner refused to press charges on what was mini- mal damage, while the victim refused to cooperate with the police to identify the aggressor. Eventually the police did identi- fy the aggressor and have issued charges against him." Earlier yesterday, various or- ganisations demanded that the police investigate the vid- eo shared on WhatsApp on Wednesday 27 February of the aggressor kicking open a glass door and assaulting an uniden- tified person inside the shop. A scream can be clearly heard at the point of impact. "We are very disappointed to hear that no police action has been duly taken against the vis- ible and identifiable aggressor that intentionally went in a rage to attack his partner at her place of work," Lara Dimitrijevic, di- rector of the Women's Rights Foundation, said, before the po- lice statement was released. In a statement by WRF and several organisations – the As- sociation for Equality, Dar Mer- hba Bik Foundation, Fondazz- joni Sebh, Malta Confederation of Women Organisations, Malta Association of Women in Busi- ness, Men Against Violence, and the St Jeanne Antide Foun- dation – Dimitrijevic reiterated that domestic violence, includ- ing intimate partner violence, was a criminal offence. "It is an offence that need not rely on the complaint of the in- jured party. When brought to the attention, authorities have the obligation to exercise due diligence, investigate and take the necessary criminal action. No complaint from the injured party is required in such cases," Dimitrijevic said. "Time and time again we hear of women complaining about how the police have refused to take their report, failed to in- vestigate and/or never issued charges pertaining to their case. Given the lack of action in this case, when there is clear evi- dence of domestic violence, this further confirms their stories." Dimitrijevic said domestic vio- lence was not a private matter but a matter of public concern and an offence against every- one. "Shrugging off the matter by simply claiming that no one came forward or was reluctant to speak, does not suffice. Mal- ta is bound by legal standards and is responsible for its failure to protect. We call on the au- thorities to investigate and take action with immediate effect, failure of which, we call on gov- ernment to investigate and pub- licly explain why the respective authorities have failed to take such action." Police identify aggressor caught on mobile phone video ramming open shop door and attacking victim inside Sliema aggressor charged despite victim's refusal to cooperate