Committee of Bills refuses to protect rape victims and their children – PD

A proposal made by MP Godfrey Farrugia on behalf of Partit Demokratiku Opposition to ensure that the lifestyle of raped victims and their children is less psychologically and socially traumatic by protecting them was refused by government at the Committee of Bills late Thursday evening, Partit Demokratiku said in a statement yesterday.

The proposed amendment to The Domestic Violence Bill which will be soon be presented for a third reading in Parliament, intended to amend the Civil Code Chapter 16 of the Laws of Malta with the intention to; give more legal safeguards to rape victims (mothers), which includes incest and inter-marital rape; enhance children’s rights conceived in rape. More than other children they need to be protected, as their life is distinct from the way they were conceived. The interests of the child are paramount; and ascertain that rapists are severely penalised not only criminally but civilly. Rape is not only a sexual abuse but also a power abuse, whose basis is a sexist culture where men are al- ways at the helm.

Most health care professionals are of the opinion that this is the best way forward and is undoubtedly in the paramount interest of the child and of the mother, PD said.

The legal pathway chosen was through article 150 of the Civil Code by the addition of a further subclass: “From the moment the child was conceived as a result of rape, the perpetrator would lose parental authority, custody and any contact with the child if termination of the parent-child relationship would be in the best interest of the child.”

Partit Demokratiku said it will continue to champion human rights and politics that are more humane and voice its opinion against gender based violence.