Wa DOVVSU records 155 cases in 2013

The Wa Municipal office of the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service in the Upper West Region recorded 155 criminal cases last year.

This shows an increase of 14 cases over what the office recorded in 2012. Out of the number, 26 cases were sent to court and eight convicted.

Presently, nine cases are still being tried, while another nine have been discarded.  Another 77 cases are under investigations and 52 have been closed.

The Wa District Police Commander, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mr Stephen A.B. Tetteh who disclosed this to the Daily Graphic in an interview at Wa yesterday, said during the year under review, there were 15 defilement cases; six rape cases, one incest and 68 assault cases.

DSP Tetteh also said there were 13 cases of abduction of females under 18 years with 12 threats of death and added that the others were two abortions, nine stealing, three causing harm, one unnatural carnal knowledge and one compulsory marriage cases.

On sexual and domestic violence, DSP Tetteh called on the public to assume full responsibility and go beyond condemning the behaviour to taking concrete steps to end it, to make it socially unacceptable and recognise it as a criminal issue.

"Rape and violence rob women and girls of their full potential and causes untold human suffering. It impedes economic development and full participation in civil life. For all of the children who have witnessed this brutality, we must do better", he said.

Challenges 

He mentioned inadequate staff, funding for sensitisation programmes and lack of shelter for traumatised victims of domestic violence as some of the challenges facing the unit.

According to DSP Tetteh, there are no juvenile cells for children who flout the law or counselling rooms. Also there has not been in-service training for the 16 personnel to update their knowledge and skills with regard to current DOVVSU activities.

He asserted that in spite of these challenges, the unit had gained a lot of confidence from the public through some sensitisation programmes carried out during the celebration of the 16 days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence; World AIDS Day, International Day for Persons with Disabilities and the Montreal Massacre.

The District Commander called on the general public to readily approach the unit  since it was there to serve them. He also said they were ready to enhance and guarantee domestic security in order to protect children and help them develop their potentials.