Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1484790
3 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 23 NOVEMBER 2022 NEWS to hear of yet another femicide. "We are saddened that her life was lost, and that her family are now faced with the loss of a be- loved daughter, sister and moth- er. But we are also angry - we are angry that another woman has been lost to femicide and angry that the system appears to have failed her," the MWL said. Moviment Graffitti said like so many other victims of femicide, Bernice Cassar had filed multiple domestic violence reports in the past. "She feared for her safety and that of her children. She made re- ports as recently as yesterday, yet no action was taken. How many more women must die this way before something changes?" Graffitti said the police must offer continuous training to its front liners and officers across the hierarchy. "Training is need- ed on what the law says as well as to change harmful attitudes and behaviours that persist." The movement added that it was unacceptable to have just one magistrate hearing domestic vio- lence cases, leading to a backlog. "Training is also required to address damaging attitudes and stereotypes, and the gendered dynamics of intimate partner vi- olence," Graffitti said. Alexander Dimitrijevic from Men Against Violence said that men killing women they profess to love is not an act of passion, not a momentary lapse of reason, nor product of sudden rage. "Men killing the women that they shared intimate moments with, that gave birth to their chil- dren, that they are supposed to love and protect is an ultimate claim of ownership," he said. "Men claiming ownership of the lives of women is an internation- al disease and Malta is not im- mune." A failing system Nationalist Party spokesperson for equality Graziella Attard Previ described the murder as "shock- ing". "It is obvious that the system is failing; procedures and report- ing of domestic violence is not being taken seriously. Although we have made legislative amend- ments, in practice the system continues to fail these victims," she said, calling for a "whole re- vision" of the system. Attard Previ said the latest gen- der equality index did not list a score for Malta on violence since no figures were forthcoming from the authorities. "Why aren't we reporting our statistics? Is Malta not monitor- ing the problem? Are no records being kept? Part of dealing with the system is collection of data, to get a better understanding of where we are failing and what can be improved on." Labour MP Rosianne Cutajar acknowledged that the system failed Bernice Cassar. "We failed to protect you as well. You called for help and you were not heard. Now it is too late. Every word that is written and spoken is irrelevant. Nobody and nothing will bring you back. Your children lost their mother for ever," Cutajar said. President emeritus Marie-Lou- ise Coleiro Preca said the mur- der showed that changing the law to address femicide was not enough. She called for wholesome re- vision of the law and assurances that when police reports are filed these are dealt with swiftly. Coleiro Preca said police of- ficers required more training and called for education in schools to address the root causes of ine- quality. "We cannot remain comfort- able in the status quo. It is not enough to rush to arrest the ag- gressor after a woman has been killed because at that stage it is of no consolation to the victim's children and family," Coleiro Preca said. In an impassioned plea, Europe- an Parliament President Roberta Metsola said: "Stop killing wom- en. No more excuses. Protect women. Action. Now. Bernice Cassar should have arrived to work today. She should have been able to play with her children this evening. She should not have been forced to live in fear. She should have been safe. She should have been free from torment. She should not have been killed. Stop killing women." Additional reporting: Nicole Meilak, Maya Dimitrijevic, James Bianchi Bernice Cassar shot in the face and chest Bernice Cassar (left) was shot and killed by her husband Roderick Cassar (right) at the Corradino industrial estate (Photo: Facebook) MARIANNA CALLEJA MURDER victim Bernice Cassar was shot in the face and chest by her estranged husband, police confirmed on Tuesday evening. During a crime conference at the police depot, Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà gave details of the gruesome murder that occurred at the Corradino industrial estate. Gafà confirmed that the woman's husband is the prime suspect, although he did not name him. MaltaToday is in a position to confirm that the murder suspect is Roderick Cassar, 40, from Qrendi. The two got married nine years ago and have two young children. Gafà said that the man fired three shots, two of which hit the woman in her face and chest. He said police were talking to witnesses but would neither confirm nor deny reports on TVM that the perpetrator physically assault- ed the woman before shooting her. Cassar, 40, bled to death outside her vehicle. The crime conference took place as police continue to negotiate with the perpetrator who has remained holed up in his Qrendi residence since 9:30am. Gafà said two police officers were leading the negoti- ations to try and convince the man to give himself up. The man is alone in the house. The Police Commissioner was reluctant to give further details on the ongoing operation and whether the perpe- trator was making any demands. Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri said earlier in parliament that trusted relatives were cooperating with the police to convince the man to give up. Gafà confirmed that the man used a shotgun to kill his wife and police believe he still has it with him inside the house. The man had no firearm licence. The victim had filed five police reports against her husband for domestic violence, one of them as recently as Monday morning, the day before she was murdered. Gafà said charges had been issued for three of the re- ports that were filed in May and the relevant court cases were scheduled to be heard in November 2023. The police had received two other reports from the victim, one earlier this month and another yesterday morning. Gafà said both these reports were still being investigated. "The police had already interrogated the aggressor and upon the recommendation of the victim's lawyer, a restraining order was sought," Gafà said. The latest reports concerned breaches of the restraining order. He said the police reports primarily concerned psy- chological abuse but one of the cases involved minor physical injuries. The victim was being given support by the police victim support agency. Magistrate Noel Bartolo is leading an inquiry into the murder.