DOVSSU records increasing cases of child abuse in Brong Ahafo

Sunyani (B/A) Nov. 10, GNA - The Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Co-ordinator of the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service, has expressed concern about the rate of child neglect and abuse in the region. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Setina Aboagye said the proper upbringing and development of the child is a shared responsibility and appealed to the general public to be vigilant and provide the unit with information on child abuse. The Regional Co-ordinator was addressing journalists at a meeting organised by the Centre for Sustainable Development, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Sunyani.

The meeting was aimed at strengthening the relationship between the media, police and the Department of Children under the Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs, to help address issues affecting children. Supporting her concerns with figures, ASP Aboagye said from January to September the unit recorded 665 cases of child non-maintenance as compared to 499 cases for the same period the previous year. The unit recorded 175 cases in the last quarter of 2009, she said. ASP Aboagye said DOVSSU recorded four cases of rape and 21 cases of defilement from January to September this year as compared to eight cases of rape and 20 cases of defilement during the period under review. On abduction, ASP Aboagye said this year the unit recorded 21 cases as compared to 19 cases last year.

She said indecent assault, harassment, attempted abortion, offensive conduct, assault and deprivation of property are minor cases that are gradually "rearing their ugly heads" in the region. Mr Hammond Oppong Kwarteng, Regional Director of the Department of Children expressed worry about the upsurge of domestic violence in the area.

He said the department with support from DOVVSU had rescued a number of children who were beaten and subjected to other abuses by their parents.

Mr Kwarteng appealed to the Judiciary and the Police to speed up the prosecution of perpetrators of all forms of abuses against children brought before them to serve as deterrent to others. Mr Peter Subaab, Executive Director of the NGO said the organisation would embark on a public sensitisation programme to encourage people to report cases of child abuse to the police.