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2003 • 2004 • 2006 • 2007
VSM Trainer — 3
January: Sharon Robinson, formerly the Coordinator
of Victim Support at Leeds, Britain, began work as Trainer
with Victim Support Malta on 3rd January. Sharon will
be working closely with VOCS.
Victims' Conference — 4
February: A conference, entitled "Victims
of Crime in Malta: Towards a better future", was
held on 4th February on the occasion of the European Victims' Day (celebrated on Feb. 22nd). The conference was addressed by some of
the local heavy-weights in criminal justice, such as
Dr Vincent Chief Justice De Gaetano, and President Emeritus,
Prof. Guido de Marco, and others. The conference was
held at Robert Samut Hall, Floriana. The participation
was good, and media coverage was extensive. The other
speakers were Dr Anton Felice (Director of the Malta
Insurance Association), Dr David Zammit (Association
for Human Rights), Dr Edward Saliba (specialist
on victims' rights), Dr Jacqueline Azzopardi (Institute
for Forensic Studies of the University of Malta),
and Dr Mark Montebello (Victim Support Malta).
The conference was chaired by Ivan Cauchi, Coordintor
of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl, and introduced by Rachel Agius,
Coordinator of Victim Support Malta. George
Busuttil, secretary of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl, was secretary
to the conference. The occasion was a follow-up of the
national seminar organised in November 2004. It dealt
with the position of victims of crime within the criminal
justice system. The conference was sponsored by CasanMamo
Insurance.
Specialised
training - Families — 12 February: The
volunteers that form part of the organisation's section
for prisoners' families have had a one-day training on
supporting prisoners' families. This was on the 12th
February. The training was given by Sharon Robinson and
Rachel Agius, respectively the Trainer and Coordinator
of Victim Support Malta for victims of crime. The training
was held at the WOW Centre of Paceville's Millennium
Chapel.
Specialised
training - Victims — 19, 26 February: The
group of volunteers training to work with victims of
crime with Victim Support Malta have had a specialised
training regarding supporting young victims of crime
(children and teenagers). This was on the 19th and 26th
February. The training was given by Sharon Robinson and
Rachel Agius, Victim Support Malta's Trainer and Coordinator
respectively. It was held at the organisation's centre
at Cospicua. The first day training sessions were attended
by Malta's Commissioner for Children, Ms. Sonia Camilleri.
Resignation — 25
March: Rachel Agius resigned as Coordinator
of Victim Support Malta on the 25th to take up a full-time
job elsewhere. Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl's administration immediately
began the process to appoint a substitute.
Official application — 3
April: Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl officially filed its
application on behalf of VSM for full membership with Victim Support Europe (VSE; formerly the European
Forum for Victim Services). The letter was addressed to VSE's secretary, Mr. Jean-Luc
Domenech.
Coordinator — 4
April: Sharon Robinson was appointed Coordinator
of Victim Support Malta as from 4th April. A neuro-linguistic
programmer, Sharon had been working with Victim Support
(UK) in the Leeds district for three years before being
engaged with Victim Support Malta last January.
VSE membership — 21
April: Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl formerly submitted
to Victim Support Europe (VSE; formerly the European
Forum for Victim Services) an application for
full membership of VSM. The application will be decided on at VSE's
annual general meeting in Holland towards the end of
May.
MEPA opinion — 3
May: The preliminary opinion of the Malta Environment & Planning
Authority (MEPA) for the offices of Victim Support Malta
at Floriana was negative. This was announced to the organisation
on May 3rd. For the former residence to operate a permit
is needed by MEPA. A reply shall be appropriately prepared
by the organisation's architect.
Interviews — 10
May: Interviews for a new part-time employee
at Victim Support Malta started on May 10th. Initially
the new recruit will be assisting the Coordinator, Sharon
Robinson, in her duties.
Coordinator — 16
May: Maria Cassar was employed by the foundation
Daritama as Coordinator of Victim Support Malta as from
May 16th. She relieves Sharon Robinson who will be resigning
shortly due to personal reasons. Maria has a Honours
Bachelor of Arts from the Department of Social Policy & Social
Work of the Faculty of Economics, Management & Accountancy
at the University of Malta.
VICTIM SUPPORT EUROPE
MEMBERSHIP — 28 May: During the Annual
General Meeting of Victim Support Europe (VSE; formerly the European
Forum for Victim Services, held in Amsterdam on May
28th, Victim Support Malta was accepted as full member
of the association. VSE is now made up of organisations
representing 20 European countries.
FOUNDATION
DAY — 9
June: Victim Support Malta is a year old! Much
work had gone into this year, and the teething problems
just seem abundant as ever. Though the event was not marked
by some special party, it was privately celebrated by much
reflection and hope.
Annual Report — 12
July: A report was drawn up assessing the progress,
and problems, of the service after the first year of
operation. The report further gives indications of the
possible way forward.
Navigating — 8
August: The official web site of Victim Support
Malta was approved and linked onto two the international
web sites — the International
Victim Services & Assistance, and International
Victimology.
New publication — 8
August: The Ministry
for Justice & Home Affairs and Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl
issued a bi-lingual publication called (in the English
version) Services to Victims of Crime in Malta (PEG
Publications, Malta). The publication reproduces a number
of interventions made by diverse experts during the National
Working Seminar held in Malta on November 11, 2004. Order
by clicking here.
Marketing — August: During
the month of August Victim Support Malta's administration
embarked on a small-scale marketing exercise that should
be further enhanced during the following months. Various
newspapers and radio stations gave fairly extensive space
to introducing Victim Support Malta's services.
MEPA decision
— 27 September: The
final decision of the Malta Environment & Planning Authority
(MEPA) for the offices at Floriana was issued.
Autonomous institution — 27
September: During Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl's Annual
General Meeting, held at Cospicua on September 27th,
it was decided that Victim Support Malta will be an independent
and autonomous legal entity. An appropriate process thus
commenced in view of this eventual effect.
WORLD VICTIMOLOGY MEMBERSHIP — 3 October: Victim Support Malta was formally accepted as a member of the World Society of Victimology. VSM was accepted after submitting its credentials to the society's senior authorities for approval.
Edinburgh meeting — 19
October: Victim Support Malta's Acting Director, Dr
Mark Montebello, was in Edinburgh on October 19th as guest
of
Victim Support Scotland for a meeting on victims of young offenders. Dr Montebello presented a paper outlining the treatment of young offenders in Malta, and the position of victims in the criminal justice system.
General meeting — 24
October: Victim Support Malta's volunteers and staff
came together on October 24 at Floriana for a general stock-taking
exercise, and also to plan a way forward for the service. A review of the problems currently troubling the service was made, and decision were taken to try out alternative solutions.
Recruitment — 31 October: A meeting was held at VSM's office, Floriana, in view of the recruitment of a new and permanent Director for the service.
Seminar — 4
November: VSM organised a seminar on child victims
(Tfal Vittmi). The conference will be
held at Canter House of Attard & Co. Ltd. (former Marbelt Stores), Marsa. During the seminar, the Family Section of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl presented the results of a survey that researched the effects of parental incarceration on prisoners' young children and adolescents. Another presentation was given by the Cottonera Community School of foundation Daritama about the effects of Malta's education system on Cospicua children. Other contributions were given by the Commissioner for Children, Sonia Camilleri, and the Coordinator of Victim Support Malta, Maria Cassar. The seminar, which was well attended, was chaired by Pamela Hansen.
New A/Director — 7 November: Pamela Hansen was appointed new Acting Director of VSM. She will be guiding the restructuring process of VSM in view of becoming an independent and autonomous service.
Finance Minister — 10
November: VSM's Acting Director, Ms. Pamela Hansen, and Coordinator, Ms. Maria Cassar, met the Minister of Finance in Valletta. The meeting, which was cordial and fruitful, concerned the Ministry's support for VSM.
GEM Seminar — 12 November: VSM took take part in a seminar organised by Guze Ellul Mercer Foundation at Floriana. The seminar discussed 'Criminality & the Aged'.
Independence process — 9 December: The process for VSM's eventual independence from its mother organisation was begun. A special working commission, appointed at the mother organisation's 2005 Annual General Meeting on 27 September last, began to review VSM's draft Act of Foundation.
Protocol with Police — 20 December: An important meeting was held between VSM officials and the Commissioner of Police, Spt. John Rizzo, at the Police Headquarters, Floriana. A draft protocol for victim referrals from the police criminal investigation squad to VSM was agreed upon. The document will be submitted to the Minister of Justice & Home Affairs, Dr Tonio Borg, for approval.
