Issues of gender based violence remains prevalent in Ghana -DOVVSU

Ho, Feb. 8, GNA-Mrs. Beatrice Vip-Sanziri, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) and National Coordinator of the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Police Service on Thursday stated that issues of gender based violence remained prevalent in the country. She observed that despite several sensitization programmes undertaken by the Unit, reported cases on domestic violence continued to increase since 2002.

Mrs. Vip-Sanziri was giving an overview and programme of activities of the Unit to representatives

of the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNPFA) in Ho. The representatives were in the region to inspect projects funded by the UNFPA, especially the Volta Regional DOVVSU office in which they committed a total of about 100,000 dollars.

Mrs. Vip-Sanziri said many people continue to see domestic violence issues as family matters and were reluctant to either report or cooperate with the Police in the investigation of such cases. She said as a result, reported cases were most often delayed and evidences destroyed weakening prosecution processes. Mrs Vip-Sanziri pointed out that a lot needed to be done to rescue children, women and families who continued to be victims of abuse. She called on donor agencies and the public to help in providing protection and care for victims of abuse.

The National Co-ordinator mentioned lack of office accommodation and vehicles in the divisions and districts as the major problems facing the Unit and called for assistance from stakeholders. Ms Rita Narh, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and the Volta Regional Coordinator of DOVVSU stated that domestic violence and gender based violence including child abuse and trafficking was prevalent in the northern part of the region. She said investigations revealed that children as young as five years were being trafficked and abused by "their masters".

Ms. Narh said the Unit had therefore, embarked on several sensitization programmes in schools, markets and on radio to keep the public abreast with issues of domestic violence. She expressed gratitude to the UNFPA for assisting in programmes of the Unit and helping the Unit to open 12 other offices and desks to get closer to victims of abuse to seek redress.

Mr. Ian McFarlane, Deputy Representative of UNFPA commended the Regional Police Commander for supporting the Unit and expressed pleasure for the success of the Unit's activities. He said they had learnt a lot from the Unit and promised that lessons learnt would be shared with other countries yet to be visited. 08 Feb. O7