Church Sets up Evaluation Board for Victims of Sexual Abuse

Gozo News
October 15, 2012

http://gozonews.com/25496/church-sets-up-evaluation-board-for-victims-of-sexual-abuse/


The Church authorities have established a professional therapeutic evaluation board for victims of sexual abuse.

The decision was taken at the Maltese Episcopal Conference (Archbishop Paul Cremona and Bishop Mario Grech) in collaboration with the Conference of Major Religious Superiors.

The Church said that "the service is offered by the Church as part of its spiritual and pastoral mission and without prejudice to the position of the Church in any civil processes that may arise and without waiving the rights to defence."

The Board is made up of psychologist Dr Anthony Gatt, psychiatrist Dr Anthony Dimech and social worker Mr Julian Xuereb. They have been appointed for a period of three years with the possibility that this could be extended.

The Board is to present an annual report of its work to the Maltese Episcopal Conference.

The purpose of the Board is to evaluate and determine the therapeutic assistance that victims of sexual abuse may require and then guide that person towards the correct professional care needed.

The costs for the process of the therapy will be covered by the ecclesiastical authority concerned.

The Archdiocese said that the Board will help with cases that have been ultimately decided by the Ecclesiastical Tribunal, a Civil Court, or by the Church Response Team.