Perpetrators of domestic violence warned

Accra, Oct 6, GNA - The Chief Executive of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Mr Solomon Ofei Darko said on Monday domestic violence created lots of problems for victims and warned perpetrators to stop such acts. Mr Darko, who said this in a speech read for him at a day's mass gender advocacy sensitisation seminar in Accra, said the perpetrator should be made to face the law.

The nationwide programme was organised by African Women Lawyers Association (FIDA) with sponsorship from DANIDA to awaken participants especially women on their rights and responsibilities and to empower them to be able fight for their rights.

Participants were taken through topics on domestic violence, child maintenance and intestate succession law. He said violence could lead to emotional stress, physical injury and ultimately death.

Mr Darko called on parents to plan their families to be able to cater well for their children.

He said most street children were victims of child labour and child trafficking, which were the results of child neglect. Nana Oye Lithur, Project Coordinator of FIDA, said the Attorney - General had come out with a bill on domestic violence, which may be passed into law by next year.

She said many acts of domestic violence such as defilement, rape and indecent assault amounted to crime and victims could seek redress by reporting to the Police or Commission on Human Rights Administrative Justice.

She said reports on sexual practices at the beaches were on the increase and appealed to the AMA and the Tema Metropolitan Assembly to work towards clearing the beaches of people, who engaged in such acts.