As the European Day for victims of crime is marked today, local NGO Victim Support Malta explains victims' rights in Malta under the new Victims of Crime Act.

Do victims of crime have any rights?
Victims of crime have various rights under the new law. These include the right to be understood and to be heard, the right to protection and to support services, the right to legal aid and the right to reimbursement of expenses and compensation.

I went to the police station last week and thought that I had filed a report since I spoke to the officer in charge. I went back yesterday since I hadn’t heard back from them, only to be told that there was no formal report filed. What can I do?
Under the new law, the police are obliged to give you a written acknowledgment of your report when it is filed. You are also entitled to receive a copy of the report to make sure that the details you gave have been taken down accurately.

I filed a police report but no action was taken against the offender. What can I do?
Sometimes there is not enough evidence to take a person to court. In such cases, however, the police have a duty to inform you of their decision not to take the offender to court.

I cannot afford a lawyer – what now?
Under the new law, you are entitled to free legal assistance. Victim Support Malta can help you claim this right.

I am afraid of facing the offender…
The law provides that the authorities should inform you when the offender is going to be taken to court, released on bail, sent to prison, released or escaped from prison. This should help you prepare yourself for any eventual consequences.

As a victim of crime, do I have a right to seek compensation?
Yes, you have a right to seek compensation for any damage suffered. You do not have to open separate civil proceedings to seek this right, as you can ask for such compensation to be paid during the course of the criminal proceedings themselves.

I am Maltese but the crime happened when I was abroad. I tried to file a police report in another country, but did not manage because they did not understand what I was saying. What can I do?
Under the new law, if the crime happened in another EU country, you have a right to file a police report in Malta.

For more information, phone 21228333 or visit www.victimsupport.org.mt