Apam (C/R), April 2, GNA - A Senior Guidance and Counselling Lecturer of the University of Education, Winneba, has explained that the law does not permit the prosecution of a female for raping a male. Ms Hannah Odoom held that since a female could not have sexual intercourse with a male whose penis was not erect and because erection was controlled by the brain, sex could only be possible with the consent of the male.

Ms Odoom gave the explanation at a symposium on Domestic Violence and its impact on children, at the Apam Senior High School, on Tuesday. Some participants did not understand why females were not being prosecuted for rape.

The final year Guidance and Counselling Post Diploma Students of the Psychology and Education Department of the University, organised the symposium to educate students about the issue because rape is becoming a national canker.

Mr Samuel Richard Zigah, also a lecturer of the Department, exhorted the police to be very tactful when handling marital rape in order not to encourage broken homes.

Ms Bernadine Ablavi Senoo, a post graduate student, said the traditional thinking that wife beating was a justifiable form of chastisement and a tool of discipline was one of the root causes of domestic violence.

She said ignorance of laws protecting women and children also contributed to domestic violence. Ms Senoo asked counsellors to intensify education on the management of anger while the Domestic Violence and Victim support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Police Service should also educate the public on the dangers of domestic violence towards its prevention. Mr Augustine Adjei, another student, recommended that Guidance and Counselling Units must be established in all schools to help manage psycho-emotional problems created by domestic violence. Domestic Violence must be included in the agenda for Parent Teacher Association meetings with laws on Domestic Violence being rigidly enforced to help reduce the menace, he added.