Maltese residents who suspect that their partner might turn abusive or aggressive towards them now have the right to apply to the Victim Support Agency to inquire if their other half has ever been found guilty of domestic violence.
The process will involve a meeting with an agency official to show proof of the relationship, and psychological support if necessary.
“The fact that an individual went to the agency in the first place is a red flag in the relationship,” parliamentary secretary Rebecca Buttigieg was quoted as saying by the Times of Malta newspaper.
The Maltese law is based on the UK’s Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS), better known as Clare’s Law after Clare Wood who was murdered by her abusive ex-partner in 2009. Her father, Michael Brown, campaigned for disclosure to potentially save other lives.
