A ‘one-stop centre service’ facility would soon be provided for victims of domestic violence, Mr Henry Quartey, the Deputy Minister for the Interior has stated.
He said the facility would have a police station, clinic, shelter, juvenile cell, a social worker, counsellor, cafeteria among others provided under one roof to offer services and reduce the stress victims go through.
The Minister said this at the commemoration of the 20 years of the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) in Accra on Friday.
In attendance were members of the Police Management Board, women group organisations, and past directors of DOVVSU.
It was on the theme “Empowering the vulnerable for national development”.
Mr Quartey said domestic violence victims suffered from problems including psychological trauma and devastating mental health.
He called for pragmatic and sustainable interventions to support all victims of violence to rapidly recover from both physical and psychological effects and contribute to national development.
The Minister of Gender Children and Social Protection, Mrs Cynthia Morrison, in a speech read on her behalf said the ministry would soon submit for approval, proposed amendments to the Children’s Act, the Juvenile Act and related laws.
“We have also begun processes for the ratification of the optional protocol on sale of children, child prostitution and pornography to better protection of children in our laws,” she added.
The Director-General of the Criminal investigations Department, Commissioner of Police (COP) Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah, assured the public of the Police Administration’s continuous effort to retool and train the personnel to deliver on their mandate.
She commended the past and present DOVVSU coordinators for the dedication in addressing all forms of abuse in the country.
COP Addo-Danquah called for collaboration among stakeholders to ensure that women and children were protected from all forms of abuse.
The Inspected General of Police, Mr James Oppong-Boanuh, in a speech read on his behalf stressed on the need for continuous public education to heighten awareness on gender based violence toward eradicating it in the country.
The Deputy Representative of the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) in Ghana, Mr Fiachra McAsey, said violence including gender-based, sexual and domestic violence remained a major concern in Ghana, especially for women and children.
He assured of UNICEF’s readiness to support the government and DOVVSU in their efforts to prevent and respond to violence against women and children.
He said UNICEF was working with the Ghana Police Service to set up a digital forensic laboratory to tackle the growing threat of online sexual violence against women and children.
The Country Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Mr Niyi Ojualape said gender-based violence was a national threat to every country.
He said all forms of abuse were against human rights, adding that the effects of gender-based violence included unsafe abortions, HIV, death and fistula among others.
BY ANITA NYARKO-YIRENKYI
