Domestic violence cases on the rise in Ashanti

Available statistics show that there was a significant increase in the incidence of domestic violence in the Ashanti Region, last year.

The Police Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) recorded 2,416 cases as against the previous year’s total of 2,000 cases.

These mainly involved defilement, physical assault, harassment, neglect of parental duties, abduction, offensive conduct and child abuse.

Ms Georgina Opoku Amankwah, Deputy Ashanti Regional Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), made the disclosure at a three-day workshop organized for women aspiring to become Members of Parliament (MP) and assembly women in Kumasi.

The workshop was meant to help build their capacity and improve their leadership roles. It was organized by the Environmental Protection Association of Ghana (EPAG).

Ms Amankwah said to help deal with the problem, of domestic violence the Kumasi Circuit Court Two had now been designated as a Gender Court.

She appealed to victims of such to report to the appropriate authorities and seek for redress.

She said it was important to intensify public education to bring down violence against women and children.

Mr John Kwadwo Owusu, Executive Secretary of the EPAG, said his organization would give every necessary support to women contesting for elective positions.