DOVVSU worried over abandonment of cases

The Western Regional Coordinator of the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU), Assistant Superintendent of PoliceLawrence Gbele, on Tuesday expressed worry over frequent abandonment of domestic violence cases reported to the division.

He said some victims of domestic violence abandoned the case halfway andthat impeded smooth investigations and processing of cases to the court.

Mr Gbele told the GNA in an interview that some victims did not show up again after reporting cases to the division and they often complained of lack of money to pay medical expenses when referred to health facilities to enable medical experts ascertain the veracity of the complaint made.

He called for the enforcement of the Domestic Violence Act 732 Section 8 Sub-section 4 that stipulates that “in case of emergency or life threatening situation, a victim may receive free medical treatment pending a complaint to the police and the issuance of a report.”

Mr Gbele appealed to people who made report to the division to assist investigators in reaching a logical conclusion to ensure that the long arm of the law brings perpetrators of evil in society to justice.

He condemned the behaviour of some relatives of victims of domestic violence who secured police medical forms and used them as bait to negotiate for financial reward from accused persons and thereafter abandon the case at the expense of the victim.

Source: GNA