Domestic violence cases decline in Eastern Region

The Eastern Regional office of the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) in the Ghana Police Service, has said domestic violence cases in the region have declined.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Koforidua, Mrs Eunice Annor, the Regional Coordinator of the DOVVSU, attributed the decline to education through awareness and sensitization programmes undertaken by the unit in the region.

She also lauded the media for their immense contribution in helping the DOVVSU to gradually achieve its mission of reducing domestic violence and protecting the rights of the weak in the country.

Mrs Annor gave the breakdown of the major cases that declined in the year 2012 as follows: Rape, 37 (2011); 18 (2012), Defilement, 123 (2011); 51 (2012), Assault, 480 (2011); 319 (2012).

Others included, Abandonment of child, 46 (2011); 11 (2012), Non-Maintenance, 926 (2011); 811 (2012), Abduction, 46 (2011); 26 (2012) and Threat of death, 97 (2011), 82 (2012).

She expressed worry over the huge rise on cases of unlawful ejection, where men often eject their partners from their houses unlawfully when they feel they are fed-up with them.

“If you think you are tired of staying with your partner, then go get her accommodation somewhere instead of ejecting her unlawfully without anywhere to go,” she suggested.

Mrs Annor also lamented on the rise of unlawful child removal, where one of the separated parent wants to take possession of their child.

She urged divorced or separated spouses, to have effective and efficient dialogue in seeking the welfare of their wards rather than “stealing” the child from school or home.

“I also wish to advise parents to be responsible in their children’s upkeep and try as much as possible not to trust their female wards to any ordinary individual; this will end defilement cases” she added.

Mrs Annor urged Ghanaians to report all domestic violence cases for appropriate legal action.