Handling of 2008 Gozo rape case raises serious concern, ADPD says

The handling of a rape case dating back to 2008 in Gozo, in which the accused were acquitted in recent days, has raised serious concern because of the disturbing manoeuvres associated with it, ADPD The Green Party said Wednesday..

The case has sparked outrage not only because the system appeared to protect the alleged perpetrators more than the victim, but also because a priest related to some of the accused became involved in efforts to keep the matter quiet in the hope that it would eventually be forgotten.

At the centre of the case is testimony showing that Fr Michael Said acted as an intermediary in 2008, when a Nadur family was paid €7,000 after alleging that their 14-year-old daughter had been raped. According to the family’s testimony in court, the priest urged them to accept the money, telling them it would be better spent on psychological support for the girl than on enduring the trauma of court proceedings.

The girl’s parents later told the court they regretted accepting the payment.

ADPD-The Green Party chairperson Sandra Gauci said it was troubling that the Gozo Church had only now woken up to the matter and was considering whether disciplinary steps should be taken.

“It is worrying that only now, nearly 20 years later, the Church in Gozo has become aware of the need to consider action on its part,” Gauci said. “It is obvious that it is moving now because of the public outcry over the fact that the priest involved was not only never disciplined, but was even appointed parish priest and assistant head of a Church school.”

She said this reflected a lack of sensitivity towards the suffering endured by the victim and her family.

“It seems we are still far from seeing the Church in Gozo put into practice what it preaches,” Gauci said, as she also offered solidarity to the victim.

The case has reignited debate on institutional accountability, the protection of victims, and whether both civil and religious authorities failed to act when it mattered most.

 

RSS Feed Source: Independent Malta Handling of 2008 Gozo rape case raises serious concern, ADPD says