Domestic violence drops by 17 percent in Ashanti

Kumasi, Jan. 6, GNA - Ashanti Region recorded a total of 1,708 cases of domestic violence in 2009, a 17 per cent drop from the previous year's figure of 2,059.

Out of the reported cases, 189 involved defilement, 262 physical assaults, 68 had to do with threat of harm and 916 cases of neglect of parental duties.

There were also 23 cases of child exposure to harm, 36 stealing and 40 cases of unlawful child removal.

Incest, child stealing, human trafficking and unlawful imprisonment recorded a single case each.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) George Appiah-Sakyi, Regional Coordinator of the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVSSU), told the Ghana News Agency that out of the 110 cases sent to Court during the period, the Unit secured conviction of 72 of the offenders.

He attributed the reduction in the incidence of domestic violence to the public education campaign by the Unit, the media and other civil society organizations.

ASP Appiah-Sakyi encouraged the people to continue to report such cases to help protect the rights of women and children.

He also underscored the need to open more offices of the Unit for accessibility by victims.

GNA