VALLETTA, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Malta needs to step up efforts to provide assistance to victims of human trafficking, including safe accommodation, the Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) stated in a report on Thursday.
This report is a follow up of GRETA's first evaluation report published in January 2013 on the implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings by Malta.
The report notes that a number of the recommendations made in the 2013 report have been implemented, such as a National Referral Mechanism and the Victims of Crime Act.
GRETA, however, urges Malta to ensure that procedure to identify and assist child victims takes into account "their special needs," such as psychological support and training of staff.
Malta was also urged to consider offence committed against minors, regardless of the means used, an aggravating circumstance.
Concern is raised over the fact that the legal provisions concerning the recovery and reflection period have not been amended, and Malta is urged to ensure that these provisions comply with Article 13 of the Convention.
It calls for further efforts to improve access to compensation for victims of trafficking, including through the provision of information and legal aid.