JUM IL-MARA 2000: IL-MARA - LEHEN U SEHEM LIGI DWAR IL-VJOLENZA DOMESTIKA

Ligi dwar il-Vjolenza Domestika

Il-Vici Prim Ministru u Ministru ghall-Politika Socjali, Lawrence Gonzi, dalghodu ltaqa' mat-tim ta' esperti fil-qasam tal-vjolenza domestika li pprezentaw abbozz ta' ligi fuq il-vjolenza domestika. Dan l-abboz pprezentat minn Dr. Lorraine Schembri Orland, Dr. Jeanne-Pia Mifsud Bonnici u Christine Theuma jistabilixxi l-proceduri li jridu jittiehdu f'kas ta' vjolenza domestika u fost l-ohrajn jghid li l-poter prosekuttiv f'kaz ta' abbuz ghandu jittiehed ex ufficio minn naha tal-Pulizija ezekuttiva minghajr il-bzonn ta' kwerela.

Il-Ministru Gonzi spjega li dan l-abboz huwa frott ta' hafna diskussjonijiet li saru tul dawn l-ahhar sentejn. Huwa fakkar fil-White Paper dwar il-Vjolenza Domestika u s-Seminar Nazzjonali li kien sar f'Ottubru li ghadda. Huwa nnota li r-reazzjonijiet kollha frott ta' dawn iz-zewg inizjattivi gew kkunsidrati fit-tfassil ta' dan l-abboz.

Il-pass li jmiss issa huwa li dan l-abboz jigi evalwat u pprezentat lill-kabinett ghall-approvazzjoni tieghu.

Sabiex atti ta' vjolenza domestika jigu kkunsidrati bhala reati kriminali, il-Ministru Gonzi qal li l-Vjolenza Domestika ser tkun indirizzata permezz ta' ligi specifika li tissupera l-proveddimenti li jezistu dig'� f'dan ir-rigward fil-Kodici Kriminali.

Madankollu, tenna l-Ministru Gonzi l-qafas legali, ghalkemm importantissimu m'huwiex bizzejjed biex jindirizza din il-problema socjali. Huwa fakkar kif fis-Seminar Nazzjonali dwar il-vjolenza domestika li kien sar f'Ottubru, hareg bl-aktar mod car il-bzonn ta' aktar ko-ordinament minn dawk kollha involuti sabiex tigi ttrattata din il-problema b'mod aktar shih. Ghal dan il-ghan, il-Ministru Gonzi habbar li qed iniedi Kumitat ta' Azzjoni bl-iskop ewlieni li jikkoordina l-isforzi fil-glieda kontra l-abbuz tan-nisa. Dan il-Kumitat li t-twaqqif tieghu ser ikun f'idejn Christine Theuma, Policy Co-ordinator fil-Ministeru ghall-Politika Socjali, ser igib flimkien fost ohrajn, persuni mill-qasam preventiv - l-edukazzjoni, il-pulizija, persuna mill-qasam tal-gudikatura u social workers flimkien ma' persuni mill-qasam tas-sahha. Il-Ministru Gonzi wera t-tama li l-kumitat jitwaqqaf sal-ahhar ta' Lulju ta' din is-sena.

Emergency Shelter u Second-Stage Shelter ghall-Vittmi ta' Vjolenza Domestika

"F'kazijiet ta' vjolenza domestika huwa l-persuna li qed jabbuza li ghandu johrog mid-dar u mhux min qed jigi abbuzat". Dan qalu l-Vici Prim Ministru u Ministru ghall-Politika Socjali, Lawrence Gonzi, meta llum wara nofsinhar iltaqa' mal-periti li fasslu u li qed jissorveljaw ix-xoghol li qed isir fuq l-emergency shelter. Il-periti fehmu lill-Ministru l-facilitajiet li ser jipprovdi dan ix-xelter li l-lokazzjoni tieghu ma' tistax tigi zvelata minhabba ragunijiet ta' sigurt'�.

L-emergency shelter huwa ntiz sabiex jaghti appogg u kenn lil vittmi nisa u lit-tfal taghhom irrispettivament mill-et'� ta' dawn it-tfal. Il-post ser ikun fih erba' kmamar tas-sodda b'hames sodod f'kull kamra li ser jkunu jistghu jakkomodaw nisa bit-tfal taghhom. Il-post li ser ikun mibni fuq sular wiehed, ser ikun mghammar b'facilitajiet sanitarji f'kull kamra u f'kazijiet estremi biss ser jigi accettat li persuni jixxerjaw l-istess kamra. Ser ikun hemm wkoll play area ghat-tfal, flimkien ma' counselling room u common room. Barra minn dan, ix-xelter ser jipprovdi programm terapewtiku sabiex jindirizza l-bzonnijiet ta' nisa u tfal li garrbu abbuz u vjolenza. Dan il-programm jinkludi appogg professjonali fuq livell individwali kif wkoll permezz ta' gruppi. Ix-xoghol tad-dar bhal tisjir, tindif u xoghol iehor ser isir mir-residenti stess.

Il-post ser ikun accessibli ghal persuni b'dizabilit'�. L-'admissions policy' mhux ser tkun diskriminatorja u kull rifjut ta' dhul, taht cirkostanzi eccezzjonali, irid ikun bil-miktub. Ix-xelter huwa ntiz sabiex joffri kenn f'emergenza u ghalhekk residenza f'dan ix-xelter ma tistax titwal aktar minn tliet xhur.

Sabiex tigi mharsa s-sigurt'� tar-residenti, il-post ser ikun mghammar b'sistemi ta' sigurt'� filwaqt li l-viz]ti lir-residenti ser isiru f'post iehor barra mix-xelter. Il-kunfidenzjalit'� ser tkun mizmuma minghajr eccezzjonijiet u hija wkoll kundizzjoni fuq ir-residenti bejniethom.

It-tmexxija ta' dan il-post ser ikun taht it-taqsima vjolenza domestika tal-SWDP.

Il-Ministru nnota li filwaqt li ghalkemm dig'� jezistu facilitajiet li jilqghu fihom nisa li huma kostretti li jhallu djarhom minhabba vjolenza, dawn il-facilitajiet mhux qed ilahhqu mad-domanda li tezisti. Inhass ghalhekk il-bzonn li jinholoq dak li jissejjah 'second-stage shelter', li jipprovdi kenn aktar fit-tul, wara li tkun inghatat l-ewwel ghajnuna f'kaz ta' krizi. Dan ifisser li x-xelter ta' emergenza jkun aktar disponnibli li jilqa' nisa b'mod immedjat.

Wara li saru diskussjonijiet fit-tul ma' l-Awtoritajiet tal-Knisja l-Ministru Gonzi habbar li ntlahaq ftehim mal-Knisja sabiex jinholoq 'second-stage shelter' ghall-vittmi ta' vjolenza domestika f'residenza li l-knisja dig'� ghandha. Permezz ta' dan ix-xelter, nisa u wliedhom ser jinghataw appogg sabiex kemm jista' jkun ma jkomplux iwarrbu vjolenza fil-familja. Dan ix-xelter ser ikun jikkonsisti f'appartamenti 'self-contained' filwaqt li jipprovdi spazju komuni ghar-rikrejazzjoni u l-mistrieh.

Il-finanzjament ghall-istaff ta' dan ix-xelter ser ikun f'idejn il-gvern li ser jipprovdi tlett social workers u zewg care workers sabiex jiehdu hsieb il-programm ta' appogg li ser jinghata matul ir-residenza tal-persuni vittmi u t-tfal taghhom. It-tmexxija tad-dar ser tkun f'idejn Bord mahluq apposta u li fih ser ikun hemm raprezentant tal-Ministeru ghall-Politika Socjali.

Il-Ministru Gonzi qal li l-Gvern jemmen bis-shih fil-kuncett tas-shubija ma' l-oqsma kollha tas-socjet'� Maltija. Huwa qal li kulhadd irid igorr ir-responsabbilt'� tal-problemi socjali, u kulhadd ghandu jkollhu sehem fit-tfittix tas-soluzzjonijiet sabiex dawn il-problemi jigu ndirizzati.

Il-Knisja ghandha tradizzjoni sabiha u sehem importanti x'taghti f'dan il-qasam tenna l-Ministru Gonzi. Il-Knisja ghandha wkoll hafna rizorsi li hafna drabi mhumiex qed jintuzaw fil-massimu taghhom. Bl-ghajnuna tal-Gvern, kien mahsub li l-Knisja tkun tista' tizviluppa u tirrejalizza s-servizzi taghha, filwaqt li tiggarantixxi livelli professjonali u ta' l-aqwa kwalit'�.

F'dan ir-rigward il-Ministru Gonzi habbar li giet approvata emenda fil-ligi tas-Sigurt'� Socjali li permezz taghha r-romol jew familji b'genitur wiehed ser jizdiedilhom l-ammont ta' kapital li ser jintitolhom ghall-Assistenza Socjali jew Ghajnuna Medika. Ghaldaqstant, it-test tal-mezzi kapitali li jigi applikat fl-ghoti ta' dawn il-beneficcji issa ser jitratta lil persuni mizzewga u lil persuni romol jew single parents bl-istess mod. Il-Ministru Gonzi qal li din l-emenda ser taghmilha aktar facli sabiex 'single parents' jinghataw aktar appogg finanzjarju minn naha tal-Gvern.

Dan kollu juri l-impenn li dan il-Gvern qed juri favur dawk li l-anqas li ghandhom sehem f'pajjizna. Il-holqien ta' qafas legislattiv, flimkien ma' l-izvilupp ta' servizzi ta' appogg u titjib fl-ghoti tal-beneficcji socjali huma mizuri mportanti li l-Gvern kommess fuqhom. Jibqa' l-fatt madankollu, tenna l-Ministru Gonzi, li l-problema tal-vjolenza domestika trid tigi trattata fuq bazi nazzjonali, b'aktar gharfien u apprezzament tad-dinjit'� tal-bniedem u b'aktar impenn minn kull membru tas-socjet'� sabiex vjolenza u abbuz ma jigux tollerati ghall-ebda raguni.

Il-mara Maltija jixirqilha post importanti fis-socjet'� taghna. Biex dan isehh, il-holqien tal-Kummissjoni ghal l-Avvanz tal-Mara u d-Dipartiment dwar in-Nisa fis-Socjet'� kienu u ghadhom strumentali. Bis-sahha ta' dawn l-istrutturi u l-hidma ta' hafna individwi, specjalment nisa, ghamilna bidliet kulturali kbar.

F'dawn l-ahhar snin, il-mara Maltija inghatat aktar opportunit'� biex taghti sehma f'diversi oqsma tal-hajja Maltija. Ghandna nisa fil-politika, nisa fin-negozju, nisa f'bordijiet tal-gvern u fil-kunsilli lokali, ghandna nisa fl-arti u l-kultura, fl-isport…..

Fl-edukazzjoni u t-taghlim tas-snajj'� qed issir enfasi fuq l-istudji sekondarji u post-sekondarji. Kabbarna l-opportunitajiet fl-Universit'� biex tilqa' fiha z-zghazagh li se jmexxu l-pajjizna ‘l quddiem…aktar minn nofs dawn iz-zghazagh huma nisa.

Kien ghalhekk li f'dawn l-ahhar snin numru dejjem akbar ta' nisa bdew isibu post fid-dinja tax-xoghol, mhux biss fix-xoghol ta' l-id, imma wkoll fi professjonijiet differenti.

Bil-kisbiet li saru, il-mara Maltija tista' tibda tuza hafna aktar minn qatt qabel il-kapacitajiet u t-talenti taghha, li minn dejjem kienu hemm, imma li f'hafna kazijiet, spiccaw mistura minn kultura dominata mir-ragel. Dak li l-mara Maltija dejjem tat lis-socjet'� taghna fit-trawwim tal-familja, issa jista' jkun forza fit-trawwim ta' socjet'� li ma thalli barra lil hadd.

Issa rridu nitilghu targa ohra. L-ugwaljanza u d-drittijiet huma necessarji izda m'humiex bizzejjed. Dawn huma l-inqas li l-pajjiz jista joffri. Mid-drittijiet issa rridu nghaddu ghall-opportunitajiet, mill-ugwaljanza ghall-partecipazzjoni shiha, mir-reazzjoni negattiva ghal azzjoni pozittiva.

Azzjoni pozittiva tfisser li ma nistennewx li l-affarijiet isiru wahidhom. Ma nistghux nibqghu cassi quddiem ir-realtajiet socjali li qed nghixu fihom. Irridu nkunu ahna li niehdu l-inizjattiva biex inwiegbu ghall-isfidi li qed joffri pajjizna - dawk tal-llum u ta' ghada.

Pajjizna u s-socjet'� taghna huma msawwra fuq l-ideat, it-talenti, il-kapacitajiet u l-hidma li ahna lkoll ghandna x'noffru. Ghalhekk il-partecipazzjoni tan-nisa fid-diversi oqsma tas-socjet'� taghna mhix kapricc izda hija nvestiment ghaqli fil-futur ta' pajjizna li jrid jaffacja l-isfidi tal-gejjieni bl-aqwa rizorsi li ghandna, kemm tan-nisa kif wkoll tal-irgiel.

Illum hafna qed jirrealizzaw li biex in-nisa ikunu jistghu jippartecipaw b'mod shih fil-hajja jehtieg mhux biss l-appogg tal-ligijiet favur l-ugwaljanza imma wkoll l-appogg tas-socjet'� kollha kemm hi.

Il-Gvern ghandu vizjoni cara dwar kif il-mara fis-socjet'� taghna tista' tkun siehba fit-tmexxja ta' pajjizna. Minbarra l-integrazzjoni u l-ugwaljanza, il-miri taghna huma li jkun hawn partecipazzjoni shiha u ndaqs tan-nisa u l-irgiel fit-tehid tad-decizjonijiet. Dahhalna mizuri li jghinu jinstab il-bilanc bejn id-doveri tal-familja, dawk tax-xoghol u ohrajn civici. Issa irridu naraw dawn il-mizuri jinfirxu aktar biex pajjizna jkun jista' jkompli l-mixja tieghu 'l quddiem.

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Introduction

Family violence is reported as a social problem that has reached epidemic proportions. In the US, data reveals that every 15 seconds a woman is being abused. In Canada, two-fifths of all homicides are between spouses, the vast majority of which are perpetrated against women. European countries share similarly high incidence of family violence. Although local studies report that families in Malta are healthy and foster unity and support, the recent years have shown that our country is not untouched by the problem of family violence. Since its inception, the Domestic Violence Unit of the Social Welfare Development Programme has provided professional social work support to 1500 women suffering violence and abuse in intimate and family relationships. When the service was created in August 1994, it was speculated that there would initially be an influx of persons seeking help from the Unit and that eventually the numbers would subside. This did not result. The Domestic Violence Unit continues to receive an average of 30 new cases per month.

Causes of family violence

Earlier theories emphasized mental health problems as the main cause of family violence, but over time this notion has been challenged. Although it is acknowledged that mental health problems may contribute to family violence, frequently men who abuse their partners are not diagnosed with mental health problems. In addition men who have mental health problems and who are abusive frequently use violence against their partners but are not aggressive toward their bosses. Other theories that provide insight into the phenomenon of family violence are the sociological and feminist theories. According to these approaches, violence is viewed as a learnt behaviour. The effect of witnessing family violence on children is well documented. Indeed, children who grow up in violent families are more likely to use violent behaviour in later adult relationships. Similarly, feminist theories recognize that abusive behaviour is learnt and emphasize that such behaviour is socially and culturally based. Feminist proponents contend that male dominance and control is part and parcel of a patriarchal society, and that violence against women continues to occur because society allows it to happen. These explanations are by no means exhaustive but serve to gain some insight into the complexity of family violence.

Many speculate about the reasons why women remain in violent relationships. Becoming aware of what might prevent women from leaving abusive partners is key in developing an effective response to address this social problem. Women remain in violent relationships for various reasons including:

• Belief that their partner will change;

• Threats and fear of increased violence and even murder;

• Lack of support from police and other relevant service providers;

• Threats of suicide from their partners;

• Low self-esteem and loss of self-identity;

• Wish for their children to grow up in a two parent family;

• Economic and emotional dependency;

• Isolation;

• Embarassment;

• Belief that violence in the family is a cross that they must bear;

• Learned helplessness.

Frequently, women report that they really love their partners but want the abuse to stop.

Family violence has a major impact on women and children who are frequently victims of family violence. It is reported that when family violence is occuring, children are often witnesses or direct victims of the abuse. Besides the costs on the individuals concerned, other societal costs include social work services, legal and court services, health services, shelters and police intervention. In addition, when separation takes place as a way of reducing the possibility for violence to occur, the burden on the welfare system is also increased. Unless men receive help to address their violent behaviour, the likelihood of other victims is also likely.

It is important to emphasize that unless the problem of family violence is addressed effectively, it will continue to reach epidemic proportions and thus the costs will increase further. If available research substantiates the belief that children who grow up in violent families are more likely to use abusive and more severe behaviour in later adult relationships, the implication is that the problem of family violence will continue to grow unless it is addressed in an effective and holistic manner.

In the past years, increased public awareness on family violence has resulted in more abused women seeking help. Consequently, the need for more specialized services has emerged. The setting up of the Domestic Violence Unit within the Social Welfare Development Programme was a step in the right direction. The Domestic Violence Unit provides professional social work intervention with persons over eighteen years suffering violence in intimate relationships. The vast majority of DVU clients are women. Besides direct practice with clients, DVU is also committed toward promoting a society with zero tolerance to violence. Therefore, DVU contributes to public awareness on family violence issues, lobbies for necessary changes in existing structures and systems, advocates on behalf of clients, liaises with other human service organizations, and works with key players in the field to ensure best practice. Although the Domestic Violence Unit does its utmost to achieve these goals, direct work and crisis intervention with clients frequently precludes DVU from allocating the necessary time and effort to addressing the problem of family violence more holistically.

To date there is still not a co-ordinated response to family violence. Women still report that sometimes police do not assist them even when their lives are being threatened. Women who are courageous enough to take legal action against their partners are sometimes let down by the judicial system. Women who disclose the abuse are frequently judged and not believed even by their own family, friends and public officials. Indeed, public perception on family violence is still problematic. It is not uncommon to hear people say that women are hit because they provoke or deserve it, or that women remain in violent relationships because they like being hit.

Addressing family violence implies bringing about change on various levels. Stopping violence in intimate relationships means that we need to work together to change prevailing attitudes and misperceptions. It means that we must begin to address violence as violence, as a social problem and not a private issue. It implies taking the stand that violence is never acceptable nor justified and that persons who use violent behaviour are held accountable for their actions. Most of all, an effective response is based on the principle that everyone has the right to live free from violence and threat of violence

A co-ordinated approach needs to incorporate several components:

• Effective legislation that ensures the safety of women and children and holds abusive men accountable for their violent behaviour;

• An efficient judicial system that includes lawyers who are knowledgeable and sensitive to family violence issues and who ensure that justice is done;

• Police who address violence as violence and who are committed toward the safety of women and children suffering violence;

• Specialized social work services for women and their children suffering abuse;

• Shelters for women and their children seeking refuge from violent relationships;

• Programmes for men who use abusive and violent behaviour;

• Programmes for children who witness family violence;

• Screening within the health care system for family violence and clear and professional intervention guidelines;

• Prevention that includes educating children from pre-school age onwards, on gender equality, gender respect and assertiveness;

• Awareness raising of violence among young couples;

• Public education on the dynamics and effects of family violence;

• A strong commitment from the media to promote non violence;

• Ongoing research that will provide essential information about the severity, incidence and causes of family violence and effectiveness of services in this area.

The new millenium has inspired many initiatives in several spheres. The long awaited Domestic Violence legislation is in its final stages and will hopefully be published within the coming months. Although this legislation is crucial, one must acknowledge that the legislation alone will not bring about the necessary changes and the much needed co-ordinated response. For this reason, and recognizing that violence in intimate and family relationships deserves all the attention possible, it is being proposed that an Action Committee on Violence Against Women be set up. The focus will be violence against women because the vast majority of adults who suffer abuse are women. However, in addressing violence against women, discussions on children witnessing violence and, men who are abusive will also be an intergral part of the Action Committee's agenda. Although women are referred to as victims of family violence, it is acknowledged that men sometimes suffer family violence too and it is envisaged that this reality will be addressed as well.

The Action Committee on Violence Against Women would have a mandate to develop a co-ordinated response to family violence, in close collaboration with the Domestic Violence Unit. The Action Committee should be composed of several key players in the area of family violence, including, a person who represents the perspective of women suffering violence, social workers who work in the field of family violence, police, a judge, magistrate and lawyer who frequently come in contact with persons experiencing family violence, a person representing shelter service providers, a person representing the educational system, a person representing the health care system, a representative from the Commission for the Advancement of Women and the Service Area Leader for Domestic Violence within the Social Welfare Development Programme..

• Take stock of current services and practices in the area of violence within family and intimate relationships;

• Collect and collate data from relevant agencies, entities and professionals to grasp a better idea of the number of abused persons seeking help;

• Develop standardized procedures for ongoing data collection in relevant agencies, entities and professionals, and ensure that statistics are kept up to date;

• Develop policies and protocols in and between agencies and other entities to ensure that the problem of family violence is addressed effectively, efficiently and in an integrated manner;

• Design guidelines of practice for all professionals that come in contact with persons suffering violence;

• Monitor the impact of the domestic violence legislation when it is eventually enforced;

• Promote research in the area of family violence to become more aware of the incidence, severity and demographics of this social problem;

• Encourage research that evaluates the effectivness of existing services;

• Promote public awareness on family violence;

• Develop prevention strategies that amongst other address children at pre-school age, youth and young couples;

• Promote a society with zero tolerance to violence.

These past years have witnessed the proliferation of services that specifically address violence within family and intimate relationships. Specific domestic violence legislation is nearing completion. Police nowadays receive training on intervening in family violence situations. There is also increased public awareness on this social problem. These are all very important initiatives that demonstrate a commitment toward nonviolence and providing support to victims. It is hoped that the Action Committee on Violence Against Women will be yet another step in the right direction. It is important to note, finally, that as a society we are all responsible to ensure that a society with zero tolerance to violence is promoted. We all have a duty to contribute toward creating a society where violence in intimate and family relationships are not justified nor tolerated for any reason. It is yet another effort to create a society for all!

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1. Government has given serious priority to the issue of domestic violence and over the years has developed strategies to address the problems raised by physical, sexual and psychological abuse within a domestic relationship.

2. The emotional, economic and legal problems faced by a victim of domestic violence are well known. The issue of domestic violence is really an issue of power on the one hand, and dependence, physical or economic, on the other. Dependence within a domestic relationship is therefore, not only limited to a relationship between married persons, but would also cover adult-child abuse, or abuse of an elderly person in the home, as well as the relationship between cohabitees.

3. At present, domestic violence is not a crime per se. A victim of such violence would have to bring a complaint (kwerela) requesting the police to take action. This complaint can be withdrawn at any stage of the proceedings, thereby placing further pressure on the victim. The gravity of the offence would depend on the nature of the injuries which could range from very-slight to grievous. Furthermore, no provision exists for preventive or protection orders which would provide for the safety of the victim and the victim's family.

4.    These are the main issues which are to be addressed in a draft bill on Domestic Violence which regulates the crime of violence within a domestic relationship. This is intended to be a special law which will prevail over the existing provisions of the Criminal Code.

The salient features are as follows:

• One of the principle features to be introduced is that the prosecution of such offences will be ex officio, that is, will not require the complaint of the injured party. The duty of prosecution lies with the Police who may arrest the offender or bring the offender to trial within a stipulated short time frame introduced by law.

• The punishments otherwise established for offences will be increased by one or two degrees if the offences are committed within a domestic relationship.

• A domestic relationship is defined as a relationship arising from marriage, from cohabitation between a man and a woman for at least six months over a period of twelve months, from having a child in common, and from consanguinity.

• The introduction of new offence of crime harassment intended to protect against stalking.

• The right of the injured party to be present at proceedings and examine witnesses and evidence.

• The introduction of protection orders and barring or eviction orders pending of final outcome of criminal proceedings as well as in the final judgment in addition to the punishment for the offence.

• Immediately on arraignment, the court shall have the authority to issue a protection or barring order intended to provide for the safety of the victim in a more effective and direct manner. These orders will be an integral part of bail conditions and a breach may lead to the arrest of the offender. In the order, the accused will be bound over not to threaten, molest or approach the residence or place of work of the victim or the victim's family. The Court may also order the accused to leave the residence of the victim until such time as the court shall specify.

• The Court may also order the accused to enter a programme for therapy in the bail conditions.

• The same orders may be imposed in addition to the punishment applicable for the offence.

• The final protection or eviction orders shall be effective for a stipulated period of time (five years) which may be extended further.

5.    The proposals reflect legal trends and strategies taken in other countries and are aimed at more effective protection for the victims and their families. The protection orders whether in their simple form or the eviction order, will provide immediate relief for the family. The Executive Police will play a key role in the enforcement of the provisions particularly in the need to ensure efficient use of their powers of arrest.

6.    The amendments reflect the proposals already made in a White Paper on Domestic Violence, as well as the outcome of the National Seminar held on the subject. Reference has been made to European and North American Legislation.

8.03.2000