Home Affairs Ministry launches the national helpline for victims of crime, 116 006

Home Affairs Minister, Byron Camilleri, unveiled the national helpline for victims of crime with the number 116 006, which will officially begin operating on Monday, May 1, and be managed by the Victim Support Agency (VSA).

The Home Affairs Minister launched the line in the presence of the Chief Executive of the VSA, Brian Farrugia, and the Head of the Victims Services Division within the Police Corps, Inspector Sylvana Gafà.

During the press conference, it was explained that the number 116 006 is a unique and easily memorable number that any European citizen, both in their own country and in any European Union member state, can quickly use to get help after becoming a victim of criminal activity.

Through this line that will operate from Monday to Sunday, including public holidays, between 7:30 am and 7:30 pm, victims of all types of crime will be able to request the services offered by the agency through a phone call.

So far, the agency has offered its services from three centers, in Santa Lucija, Qawra and Xewkija in Gozo. Among the free services provided by this agency are emotional and psychological support, legal assistance and providing access to information or updates about police reports.

Camilleri explained that “the 116 006 line is just one of several services launched to support victims.”

“It will be a telephone line offering information on the rights of crime victims, as well as access to support services, while providing space for victims and referring them according to their needs”, Camilleri said.

“Every victim, regardless of the cause of their victimization, needs encouragement, sympathy, protection and professional and human assistance to help them through the ordeal they are going through”, he carried on.

“For this purpose, two years ago, we established the VSA to entrust it with the task of supporting and sustaining crime victims and at the same time creating awareness in the community about the rights of crime victims. We are continuing to strengthen that service”, Camilleri concluded.

Farrugia explained that “in the two years since the VSA was established, it has already helped around 3,000 crime victims aged between 15 and 80 years old. The majority of these individuals were victims of domestic violence-related offenses, followed by fraud and theft, insults and threats, property damage, assault and other physical violence.”

“The agency’s philosophy is to offer victim-oriented service and to stay away from the risk of double victimization. Our ultimate goal is to help the victim recover from the trauma and achieve a better quality of life”, concluded Farrugia.