A total of 2,807 men reported domestic abuse cases against their wives last year as against 3,143 the previous year.

Similarly, about 13,465 women also reported domestic violence cases against their spouses last year as against 15,207 the previous year.

Statistics for the first half of the year are still being compiled by the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOWSU) of the Ghana Police Service.
The cases reported by the men included denial of sex and food, use of abusive languages, assault among others.

In total the unit recorded 15,749 cases in 2015 as against 17,778 recorded in 2014.

Some of the reported cases were defilement, rape, attempted rape, sodomy, incest, kidnapping, murder, abortion, death threat, bigamy, causing harm, child abuse, abduction, and child trafficking.

The DOWSU National Coordinator, Chief Superintendent Rev. Laurencia Wilhelmina Akorli disclosed this to The Ghanaian Times in Accra yesterday stating that there had been a reduction in the reported cases.

Chief Supt. Akorli stated that despite the fact that men were coming out to report domestic violent cases against them, women were on the ascendency.

The DOWSU Coordinator said to ensure a reduction in reported cases, the Unit would be engaging stakeholders such as traditional rulers and religious bodies in their activities.

She appealed to the Chief Justice, Georgina Theodora Wood to establish more Domestic Violence (DV) courts to deal with cases quickly.
The Coordinator said currently, there were only three of the DV courts in Accra, Tema and Kumasi.

She expressed worry over the increase in child non-­maintenance cases in the country stating that last year alone 4,685 cases were recorded.
Chief Supt. Akorli called on parents to cater for their children till they reach their adulthood.

“If even a relationship is broken the children should not suffer the repercussion. It is the responsibility of every parent to cater for the needs of his or her children till adulthood,” she added.

The coordinator stressed the need to revisit the extended family system to support in the upbringing of children.

She urged victims of any form of abuse to report perpetrators to the police to ensure that justice was served.

“Offenders should be punished and not left off the hook to serve as deterrent to others.” she added.

The coordinator advised parents of abused victims to desist from collecting money from culprits to drop cases.

Chief Supt. Akorli said such practice was criminal and those found culpable would be arrested and prosecuted.