Rape victim’s interview by authorities postponed by over a year and raises concerns

Oct 4 2021

Deep concern has been expressed by the Maltese Association of Social Workers (MASW) over alleged reports that police took well over a year to hear a rape victim’s story. The association released a statement on Monday highlighting how ‘cases like this demonstrate the importance of having a victim-focused criminal justice system. The #MeToo movement made it clear that society needs a culture where victims, especially women and children, are given a space to be heard.’

Times of Malta released a story claiming that a woman was brutally sexually assaulted for around an hour, but has been waiting for over a year to tell authorities the story. The assault occurred in June 2020, but police are yet to interview her. MASW said that despite advocating for victims to have a voice with authorities, such cases show the exact opposite. This creates more barriers for victims and, despite applauding the creation of the Victims Support Unity, it maintains more needs to be done.

MASW is hoping that this particular case is investigate without further delay and the victim is interviewed. Failure to do so, the association says, will continue to cause victim to re-live trauma induced because of the assault. The Malta Women’s Lobby also denounced the indifference shown by the police. Also thanking authorities who helped the victim during the assault, the lobby also points to the inaction over such a lengthy period as being unacceptable.

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Photo Source: National Chronicle

6-year-old grievously injured in dog attack

Oct 4 2021

Police reports have revealed that a 6-year-old boy was grievously injured after being attacked and bitten by a dog. The police were informed yesterday at around 15:45hrs that assistance was needed in the family park in Triq Sant’Antnin, Wied il-Ghajn.

A medical team and an ambulance convened on the site, taking the child to Mater Dei Hospital. There, the boy, whose identity has not been disclosed, was certified as having suffered injuries of a grievous nature. Police investigations are still ongoing. It is also unknown whether the dog was a stray or belonged to an owner, and what lead to the attack.

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Photo Source:trfihiparks, iStock:

A Billie Eilish and Nightmare Before Christmas cross-over?

Oct 3 2021

Fans of theatre, Halloween and star Billie Eilish will have something to enjoy this spooky month as the star has joined the cast of a live-to-film concert of the Nightmare Before Christmas. The 19-year-old star has joined a stellar cast to play the role of Sally, the heroine of the stop-motion classic which follows Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King, develop an obsession with Christmas and taking over the holiday.

With music provided by a live orchestra, she will be performing alongside Danny Elfman, who is the film’s original singing voice for Skellington and the composer of the original film. Elfman revealed he was absolutely thrilled to have the young star join the nightmare crew, describing her casting as a real treat. Plans for a 2020 return to the live shows of the classic film were delayed due to the pandemic, but 2021 will see its return with one of the world’s favourite musical artists.

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Vaccine-booster rollout halves infection rate among over-80s

Oct 3 2021

As the COVID-19 booster shot rollout continues, the overall impact on the infection rate among the over-80 age group has more than halved in just two weeks. The booster’s ability to increase immunity seem to be quicker as epidemiologist Neville Calleja told Times of Malta that the booster’s effect on the elderly was noticeable just a week after it was administered.

The impact of the first doses of the vaccine led to a drop in infections after weeks but the booster seems to be hurrying up the process considerably. The latest figures are indicating how infection rates in different age groups show that in just two weeks, the rate per 100,000 people in the over-80 cohort dropped from 248.97 to just 87.6.

With similar drops indicated in the 65 to 79 age group, the current rate for the age group is also the lowest since mid-July. This was revealed by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. The rate had been climbing since then and until last week, with authorities blaming the trend on decreasing immunity.

All residents in care homes for the elderly have received their booster dose as the health authorities initiate the process of vaccinating immunocompromised and those over the age of 70.

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