Still too much power for minister, child experts say

Experts have welcomed changes in a new Child Protection Bill but raised concern that too much power has been left in the Family Minister’s hands.

“It is paramount that people are not appointed based on their political affiliation but on competence. The selection process should be a transparent one based on specific competences and professional backgrounds,” director of Fondazzjoni Sebħ Andrew Azzopardi said when contacted.

He noted that the minister would be appointing almost every role according to the new draft launched in January.

He also raised concerns over mandatory reporting for professionals, with professionals facing criminal convictions if they fail to report any suspicion of risk. 

“By criminalising professionals I believe we are doing a disservice to children instead of safe-guarding them,” he said. 

“By making reporting mandatory for professionals, the law is potentially removing the support network around victims because whenever a person discloses abuse this will be automatically reported to authorities even without their consent.” 

This was particularly concerning when the alleged victim was an adult disclosing abuse they had suffered as a child. 

On the other...