WAJU record less rape, defilement cases

Sunyani, Aug. 13, GNA - Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Alex Yartey Tawiah, head of the Women and Juvenile Unit (WAJU) of the Ghana Police Service in Sunyani, on Thursday said the Unit had recorded less rape and defilement cases this year.

He said statistics indicated that the Unit recorded a total of five rape and 14 defilement cases from January to June this year as against six and 29 cases respectively within the same period last year. DSP Tawiah in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Sunyani, said victims of rape and defilement were encouraged to report to WAJU because of the intensification of public awareness campaign.

He said: " Constant education has raised the consciousness of the people about such crimes and harsh sentences have been imposed on the perpetrators, which has served as a deterrent to like-minded persons".

DSP Tawiah reminded the public that a person found guilty on the charge of rape could be sentenced to a minimum of five years and a maximum of 25 years imprisonment, whilst a person found guilty of defilement could be jailed for a minimum of 11 years and a maximum of 25 years.

He dispelled the notion that WAJU was established exclusively for women and children, adding that " It was set up for, children, women and men ", and called on Ghanaians to support the Unit.