Domestic violence cases increase in Brong Ahafo

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Setina Aboagye, Brong-Ahafo Regional Deputy Commander of  the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit(DOVVSU), has expressed concern about the increasing numbers of  domestic violence cases in the region .

ASP Aboagye, who was speaking at a regional celebration of International Women’s Day organised by Action Aid Ghana and Ministry of Gender and Social Protection, said available statistics at DOVVSU showed violence cases in the region were on the ascendancy.

She said in 2009 the region recorded 1,028 cases whilst the rate was 1,278, 1,040 and 1,257 in 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively.

ASP Aboagye said the difference in the cases recorded for the past four years appeared insignificant because the real situation was not a reflection of the available figures since most victims refused to report their cases to DoVVSU.

She said fee charged by medical doctors before endorsement of victims’ forms discouraged most of them due to the financial constraints.

Domestic violence, she said, had negative social and psychological effects on victims and communities and therefore hindered development and also perpetuated poverty.

Mrs Patricia Awuah of the Regional Directorate of the Ghana Education Service contended girls could be well-educated in an environment devoid of violence because violence against them in schools could negatively affect their academic and personal development.

She stressed the need for education of men and boys to understand laws on domestic violence against women and girls and the punishment associated with them because it would help to curb that negative trend in the society.

Mrs Awuah suggested that there should be a problem box in various schools where students, especially girls could report assault leveled against them while men and boys could also be encouraged to join social clubs and human rights groups to enable them to develop and promote caring attitudes towards females.

Mr John Abaa, Regional Programme Officer of Action Aid Ghana, said a lot of violent cases were linked to gender-based inequalities since most violence against women were perpetuated by men.

He called for community education to influence and shape social norms that could support and promote non-violence.

Source: GNA