GORY DETAILS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

The Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit of the Ghana Police Service (DVVSU) handled a total of 4,477 cases in 2006, compared to a total of 3,118 cases reported in 2005. The figure shows an increase of 359 cases.The statistics indicate that women continue to be in the majority of the victims of domestic violence, even though more men are now putting shyness aside and coming up with cases of their wives bashing them. Out of this number, assault cases ranked high with a figure of 2,063 as at the end of December 2006. The second highest case recorded by the unit for the year under review is that of threats with 578 cases. One marriage counselor has told Pubic Agenda that the proliferation of so-called performance-enhancing alcohol-laced bitters could be blamed for the increasing violence against women as more men are demanding frequent sex.According to the Public Affairs officer of DVVSU, Inspector Irene Oppong, such cases of threat involve mostly men who are apparently fed up with their relationships and threaten their partners at the least provocation. The interesting twist, according to Inspector Oppong is that some men are now shrugging shyness aside and are now walking boldly to the DVVSU offices and reporting cases of their wives bashing them left and right.“My observation is that cases recorded by the unit are at their peak particularly during and after festive occasions such as Christmas, Easter and festivals, as they are unable to meet demands of school fees and dresses,” Inspector Oppong explained. Cases of defilement came third with 482 complaints lodged at DVVSU. This involves cases of mostly grown ups having sexual intercourse under duress with minors or children below 18 years. The fourth highest recorded case was offensive conduct with the figure at 256. The Police Inspector regretted that mostly when there is separation and the women go for money for the upkeep of the children and the men refuse the women resort to raining insults on the men. She appealed to women to desist from such acts but rather report to the Social Welfare Department located at the premises of DVVSU. The unit received 209 cases of stealing for the period under review. Abduction cases, which involve keeping a minor and having sex with her recorded 164. The seventh highest recorded case was rape with the figure at 142. A breakdown of the statistics shows that 117 cases of exposing children to harm were recorded. One hundred and thirty-three cases of parents and guardians who fail to supply basic necessities of health and life were recorded. Besides, 99 cases of causing unlawful damage were reported to DVVSU. Forty-seven cases of indecent assault were recorded in 2006. Just a case each of attempted female circumcision, attempted murder and hindering of inquest was received by the unit within the same period. Two cases each of child trafficking, assault by imprisonment and compulsion of marriage were reported, with the latter being predominant among the Muslim community. Three cases each of incest and child labour was lodged at DVVSU. Twenty-nine cases of criminal abortion, 18 attempted abortion, 28 attempted rape and 12 unlawful ejection complaints were made. Ten cases of unnatural carnal knowledge, six of carnal knowledge of female idiot and four of intermeddling with property of a deceased were received at the unit. Inspector Irene Oppong told Public Agenda that the unit continues to receive long list of complaints, particularly assault cases due to the reluctance of people to change their attitude. “Some people feel that no matter what they do they will only be reported to DVVSU and perhaps jailed for some few years.” She however admitted that some people are beginning to know their rights due to the extensive public education the Unit embarks on. “Sometimes people come for medical forms but fail to return them and rather settle the issue at home. Apparently they are unaware that settling defilement and other serious domestic cases at home is a crime, in which parties involved could be charged for abetment.” She called on all and sundry to be involved in the fight for better human rights.