Gender Activist, Dr Angela Dwamena Aboagye, has called on the Ghana Police Service to make Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) a specialized Unit to enhance its efficiency in curbing the increasing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) cases in the country.
She argued SGBV is a complex issue which needs Police personnel and investigators with expert knowledge and competence to handle to ensure that perpetrators are prosecuted to serve as a deterrent. She also wants DOVVSU to be equipped with logistics to efficiently operate.
Dr Dwamena Aboagye who is also the Executive Director of Ark Foundation said this when speaking at a workshop held at Akuapem-Larteh by the (United Nations Population Fund) UNFPA and Ghana Police Service for 40 Divisional and District Police Commanders and investigators drawn from across the country mostly areas without DOVVSU units.
Statistics from DOVVSU indicates in 2016 a total of 12,141 abuse cases were reported out of which 10,315 female victims were while 1,826 were male.
Also in 2017, a total of 14,919 abuse cases reported out of which 12,103 were female while 2,816 male.
Director General of CID, Tiwaa Addo Danquah noted that SGBV cases are on the increase because of widespread awareness.
She said when she took over the position of CID, about 90% of investigators at DOVVSU were not trained hence in 2018, 240 investigators from DOVVSU were trained while other training programs instituted.
The Assistant Representative of Bawa Amadu, Assistant Country Representative of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) said there is more room for improvement to end sexual and gender-based violence in the country.
He pledged continuous support of UNFPA to help build the capacity of Police personnel to enable them to discharge their duties diligently.
Participants were enlightened on the provisions of the Domestic Violence Act and other miscellaneous provisions such as procedure rules for domestic violence. They were also educated on sexual and reproduction health issues in SGBV.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Kojo Ansah
