BRONG AHAFO RECORDS 1,257 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES

From Michael Sarpong Mfum, Sunyani

Statistics at available at the Brong Ahafo Regional Branch of the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) indicate that the domestic violence increased in the region from 1040 in 2011 to 1,257 in 2012.

ASP Setina Aboagye the Deputy Regional Co-coordinator of DOVVSU in an interview  said the number of domestic violence victims could more but most of victims refuse to report to the police because of reasons best known to them.  ASP Aboagye therefore called on the residents in the region to report all violence cases to the police.

ASP Aboagye noted that the implementation of the domestic Violence Act in the Region is facing many challenges.

She said a legislative instrument, which would have made implementation much easier, does not back the law.

“Most police officers are not conversant with the provisions of the act and therefore implementing it has not been easy. Therefore, training of DOVVSU officers would go a long way to help the implementation of the domestic violence act,” ASP Aboagye appealed.

She also said the charging of fees before the endorsement of forms of victims by medical doctors discourages most of the victims to go to the hospitals because of financial constraints.

ASP Aboagye noted that her outfit is collaborating with ActionAid Ghana and Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Protection to train volunteers to sensitize the public and further help the implementation of the Act.