Management of Maa Sherawali India Ladies Association, a charitable organisation has constructed an office complex for the Kpeshie Divisional Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Elisabeth Dassah, National Coordinator of DOVVSU, inaugurating the office at Kpeshie on Wednesday, said it would strengthen the capacity of personnel to increase access to justice to the vulnerable in hard-to-reach areas.
She said it would enable the unit provide wide range of services in collaboration with other service providers including the Social Welfare Department, Ghana Health Service and the Judiciary.
ACP Dassah said that, the volume of reported cases had increased from 178 between 2007-2008 to 442 between 2009-2010 with only a coverage area of Teshie and Nungua, adding “we may need an expansion when the coverage increases”.
She urged other Civil Society Organisations to complement government’s effort at preventing abuse, protecting and providing for the victims of abuse while ensuring perpetrator accountability.
Mr. Victor Gyan Kyereko, Kpeshie Divisional Police Commander, said the intervention was a timely relief as the DOVVSU office had been operating in a single room and appealed to corporate institutions to support the unit with a vehicle to enable personnel embark on investigation and outreach programmes.
Mr. Daniel Amartey, Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipal Chief Executive, said the unit also needed logistics to enable it undertake its responsibility and commended the Police for their successes in their outreach programmes to create awareness on the dangers of child abuse and domestic violence.**
