C/R records 3,727 domestic violence cases in 2010

The Central Regional Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU), last year recorded a total of 3,727 cases, over 50 per cent increase over the 2009 figure of 2,038.

Some of the cases include; neglect of parental duties, defilement, child stealing, forced marriage, causing unlawful damage, assault, rape, exposing child to harm and criminal abortion.

The Central Regional Coordinator of DOVVSU, ASP George Appiah-Sakyire, told the Ghana News Agency on Monday that the increase in reported cases at the Unit showed the growing confidence the public had developed in the Unit.

He said parental neglect which is on the ascendancy, topped the list with, 1,695 cases followed by assault with 831, 168 threat of death cases, 158 for defilement and 138 cases of stealing, among others.

He blamed the high number of parental neglect on broken homes, large family sizes, poverty and unwanted pregnancies and advised that family planning be embraced while individuals lived resourceful and productive lives as well.

ASP Appiah-Sakyire said 251 of the reported cases were taken to court after successful investigations, leaving 2,494 under investigation and that 34 cases were successfully dealt with and disposed off by the courts resulting in 25 convictions, nine acquitted and discharged, leaving 217 still under trial.

He said some clients gave invalid addresses to the police making it difficult to contact them during investigations while others also rush to the media to narrate their stories which end up giving clues to perpetrators to bolt.

The DOVVSU boss however said sensitization activities and education on the need to end domestic violence for a healthy family and society were carried out across the region by the Unit.

Source: GNA