Domestic Violence rife in Volta region-DOVVSU

Abutia Kloe (V/R), July 24, GNA- A total of 137 and 48 rape cases respectively were reported to the Volta Regional Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) last year.

The DOVVSU also recorded 487 cases of child neglect, 51 cases of child abduction and nine cases of child abandonment during the same period.

Ms Rita Narh, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in charge of the Volta Region branch of DOVVSU, disclosed this at a public education forum at Abutia Kloe, in the Ho Municipality on Wednesday.

The forum, organized by the Volta Regional Directorate of the Department of Women in conjunction with DOVVSU and Para Legal Association (PLA), was to educate the community on the Domestic Violence Act.

Members of the PLA were trained by FIDA and UNDP in the Domestic Violence Act and basic law, to enable them educate the public on the Act and arbitrate in minor domestic violence cases with the help of appropriate legal authorities.

Ms Narh said, "Though alarming the situation is just a tip of the iceberg as most of the cases are not reported". She therefore entreated parents, chiefs and opinion leaders not to protect the perpetrators of these "heinous acts", but report them to the Police.

She said DOVVSU would deal drastically with those who perpetrated such acts and those who protected them.

Ms Lena Alai, Volta Regional Director, Department of Women appealed to chiefs to change those traditions and customs such as widowhood rites and inheritance, which infringes the rights of women.

She said the Domestic Violence Act was not passed to protect women alone but also men and children, and said everybody was free to report any acts of domestic violence to DOVVSU or the Department of Women for redress. Mama Setsie II, Queenmother of Ho Heve, who is also chairperson of the PLA in the Ho Municipality, said many acts of domestic violence resulted from poverty, mistrust and disregard for laid down procedures in contracting marriages. She said engagement should not be equated with traditional marriage because "traditional marriage is unique" and advised that families should always be involved in marriages.