A meaningful European Victims of Crime Day

If we aim to be at the forefront of nations that champion the rights of victims of crime we must improve on the good we have achieved so far in promoting and implementing the many types of assistance, aid and other support that any victim of crime will require.

Not for a moment must we turn away from victims. Their pain is discomforting. Their anger is sometimes embarrassing. Their personal experiences are upsetting.

Victims are vital reminders of our own vulnerability. I know this because I have worked with victims of crime for some time.

Our government must ensure fair compensation for victims of crime, increasing the range of crimes for which compensation can be claimed and extending the coverage of the damage.

This must include damage to property and any kind of quantifiable damage that a victim of crime may have suffered and the availability of compensation must be more clearly publicised.

It is time to legislate for a percentage, which need not be that large, of all total fines, penalties and other forms of pecuniary punishments inflicted by our criminal courts on convicted offenders that will go directly to a central compensation fund administered solely for the paying out of all compensation awards done by the claims officer under our law.

The government must ensure fair compensation for victims of crime.

It is only in this instance that crime should pay!

It is precisely here where one can come up with an ingenious and lawful mechanism to compensate victims of crime profusely, not from taxpayers’ money but directly from convicted offenders.

What better way to mark European Victims of Crime Day falling on February 22, yearly?

Each new victim personally represents an instance in which our legal and judicial system has failed to prevent crime.

Lack of concern for victims compounds that failure.

Mark Said – Msida

‘Selfishness has no bounds’

I refer to Isabel Stabile’s contribution February 16, and will only comment on her concluding remark, “selfishness has no bounds”.

Very well said and absolutely true. Selfishness has no limits. It can lead as far as the murder of the unprotected.

Paul Abela – Rabat

The Imperial

I am very superstitious and have always dreaded Friday the 13th. Unfortunately last month I had a very bad fall on this day and I have been hospitalised since.

I am now convalescing at The Imperial and am very glad to have made this choice. The building is magnificent and everything is stupendous. I would rate it as a super, five-star hotel.

A very well done to the management and staff. Keep up the good work!

Francis Formosa – Sliema