Africa-Press – Ghana. The Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Beatrice Korsah, the Bono Regional Coordinator of the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU), has urged the public not to interfere in the prosecution of perpetrators of domestic violence.
She said public interference in the arrest and prosecution of suspects of domestic violence and human rights abuses were impeding the work of DOVVSU in the region.
DSP Korsah said: “Such interference is hampering the Unit’s operations and effectiveness in tackling cases of domestic violence significantly”.
She gave the advice on the sidelines of a street procession organized by the Unit in Sunyani in line with the “30 Days Activism” campaign launched by the Unit and observed annually in July to raise awareness and help control cases of domestic violence.
The campaign on the theme: “Let’s kick gender-based violence out of Ghana” sought to inspire victims to report cases to the unit.
DSP Korsah noted that the interference of the public in the work of the unit was “often made through mobile phone calls” with the callers pleading clemency for suspects, saying that attitude was unacceptable and undermined efforts in tackling domestic violence cases in the region.
She regretted that many victims of domestic violence preferred “keeping their ordeals to themselves without reporting”, and urged them to rather open up for the law to take its course on the perpetrators.
DSP Korsah gave the assurance that “DOVVSU personnel are friendly and trustworthy”, saying the Unit remained committed to guaranteeing the confidentiality and protection of victims.
She said: “Victims of domestic violence shouldn’t wait until they are maimed or hurt before seeking help”, saying their lives were precious to their families and the society in general.
DSP Korsah advised men suffering from abuses quietly in their homes in the hands of their wives to also report officially to the Unit, saying “DOVVSU is not only for women, but for everyone going through forms of domestic violence”.
She said: “We want to assure that DOVVSU is ready to hear, assist and rescue anyone who is going through domestic violence. So, we must all come out boldly and report our ordeals and save us from the attendant emotional and physical harms”.
DSP Korsah called on the public to support the campaign by reporting suspects cases, as the Unit intensified the campaign in public places like markets, lorry terminals, saying with the public cooperation and support cases could be brought to the barest minimum in the region.
For More News And Analysis About Ghana Follow Africa-Press
