Women's Lobby Condemns 'Systemic Failure' in Bernice Cilia Domestic Violence Case

2026-06-11T14:01:29.849+00:00 · Updated 2026-06-11T14:03:18.977+00:00

The Malta Women's Lobby has voiced its profound disappointment and anger over the recent prison sentences related to domestic violence incidents reported by Bernice Cilia before her murder. The lobby stated that "justice came too late" for Cilia, highlighting what it perceives as a systemic failure to protect victims of domestic violence.

The condemnation comes after Roderick Cassar, who was previously convicted of Cilia's murder, received an additional 11 months in prison for the earlier domestic violence reports. This outcome has intensified calls for a more effective system to safeguard individuals at risk.

According to the Women's Lobby, the delayed rulings on these prior domestic violence reports expose critical shortcomings in the system. They argue that these failures ultimately contributed to Cilia's tragic death, underscoring the urgent need for reforms.

Lovin Malta and Times of Malta both reported on the Women's Lobby's strong reaction, detailing their concerns about the justice system's ability to intervene effectively in cases of domestic abuse. The lobby's statement serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in protecting vulnerable individuals.

The organisation continues to advocate for stronger preventative measures and swifter judicial processes to ensure that victims receive timely and adequate protection. They stress that the current system must be reformed to prevent similar tragedies in the future.