DOVVSU letting down victims of domestic abuse – WiLDAF

Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF) has faulted the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Police Service for failing to help victims of domestic abuse recuperate.

Speaking to Joy News’ Gifty Andoh Appiah, Women’s Advocacy and Communication’s Officer at WiLDAF, Abigail Edem Hunu Abigail, said the Unit lacks psychotherapists at their various stations to get their job done.

“We actually don’t know what is wrong with DVVSU in not having adequate therapists. Most of the DVVSU stations we go to you realize that they don’t have inhouse psychologists, therapist or a counsellor situated at the station to help victims,” she revealed.

Her comments are in reaction to the story of an 18-year-old who is battling with scars from a four-month tortuous kidnapping and multiple rape experience at the hands of the two pastors.

She was kidnapped in April 2019 at Aflao in the Volta region by two men who sought refuge in her mother’s home.

Precious [not her real name] said she was sexually abused nearly every day while in captivity for four months. That was not all.

Her captors compelled her to take concoctions to abort the pregnancy that resulted from the multiple sexual assaults.

After her rescue, several hospital visits from Akatsi, to Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra reveal, have revealed severe lacerations in her private part.

Aside from this, she has recently lost her speaking ability and the parents say she wants to take her life.

WiLDAF says it is the responsibility of DVVSU to help Patience.

“As we speak, DOVVSU is lacking in discharging their duty in that regard,” she said.

The group has promised to assist the victim.

They will on Sunday visit the victim and her family to offer the needed assistance.

This will also include ensuring that she gets justice.

Meanwhile, the culprits, George Andrews and Maxwell Peter, are scheduled to be in court on Monday, September 16, 2019.