‘Dar Emmaus,’ a project by Fondazzjoni Kenn u Tama, was officially inaugurated today, it is the first house in Gozo for female victims of domestic violence.

Mgr Joe Vella Gauci, Chairman of Fondazzjoni Kenn u Tama, and its Director Michael Xuereb, said that the aim of the project is to provide much needed shelter and to spare victims of domestic abuse the humilation of being without a home, while also providing them with hope for the future.

The shelter will also serve as a meeting point where children of estranged parents may be picked up by either of the parents under the terms of their court orders.Dar Emmaus was inaugurated by the new President of Malta, Mrs Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, who said the the house not only offers shelter, but will also provide much needed psychological care for the victims of domestic violence.

The President added that often victims can suffer many years in silence before having the courage to enable them to stand on their own two feet. Also present for the inauguration was the Minister for Gozo Dr Anton Refalo, who said that this much needed facility, will provide comforting shelter and hope for victims of domestic violence in Gozo.

The Minister for Family and Social Solidarity Dr Michael Farrugia, was also the present for the occasion. He said that it is vitally important that such help and support is provided in Gozo.

The President while on her visit to Gozo, also attended Mass at Fondazzjoni Arka and met up with a group of Danish youths with disabilities. She also laid flowers on the War Memorial in Independence Square Victoria, as well at the monument to President Anton Buttigieg in Qala and also laid flowers at Xewkija cemetery, where President Censu Tabone is buried.

 

 

Permalink: Gozo shelter for victims of domestic violence inaugurated