Churches express concern on the increasing defilement cases

Apam (C/R), July 23, GNA- The Christian Council of Ghana and the Catholic Secretariat have expressed concern about the increasing rate of defilement and rape cases in the society.

They have therefore appealed to Ghanaians especially priest and teachers to help bring the situation under control and the perpetrators to book.

Rev Father Jude Ampah of the Apam Saint Joseph Catholic Church said these when addressing members of the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches on Monday to mark the 2008 Christians Home Week at Apam. Speaking on the topic "What is rape and defilement", Rev. Father Ampah said a research conducted by the two institutions indicated that between January and September 2007, 348 rape cases were recorded by the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit of the Ghana Police Service throughout the country.

According to him, the research further revealed that 1,183 defilement cases were recorded during the same period. Father Ampah said this heinous crime has a traumatic effect on the victims and the offenders could face imprisonments of between 10 to 25 years.

He enumerated some the causes of these act to the intake of alcoholic beverages, indecent dressing and watching of pornographic films. Father Ampah advised parents not to allow their children to fend for themselves but should provide them with all their basic needs. 23 July 08