Editorial: Are The Appropriate Authorities Well Resourced?

That domestic violence is still a nightmarish experience for many in the place they call home is an issue that is a source of worry to every well meaning individual in Ghana. It is indeed surprising to note that despite intensified advocacy by various groups and individuals as well as legislation, domestic violence continues unabated. It is even more worrying when perpetrators of such crimes are allowed to go scot free or when complainants settle for arbitration for lack of finances; particularly when the cases are reported to the appropriate authorities. According to Chief Inspector Irene Oppong, Public Affairs Officer of the Accra office of the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit of the Ghana Police Service, about 60% of assault cases received by the unit are still under investigation. This means that it could either take too long for culprits to pay for their crimes or they may never pay at all. The reason, according to the inspector, is that victims of domestic violence are made to settle their own bills whenever they present a police medical form to public and police hospitals. As such, most of them do not return to the unit again as they are unable to afford medical bills and therefore settle for arbitration. �Until medical treatment is free as stated in the DV Act, investigations cannot be smooth because victims who are not financially sound don�t come back but go in for arbitration and take compensation from the perpetrators,� stated Chief Inspector. Public Agenda adds it voice to the inspector�s concern that until medical treatment for victims of domestic violence is made free, many of them will continue to stay away from the legal system that is supposed to help them. Also, perpetrators of domestic violence, once they realise the legal process will not go its full length to catch up with them, will grow obstinate. Chief Inspector Oppong told Public Agenda that assault cases continue to be the most common form of domestic violence cases reported at DOVVSU. �Some men feel so superior that they think by virtue of being a man they should be able to discipline a woman. Others think that no matter what they will only be reported to DOVVSU and perhaps jailed for some few years,� she said. This obviously means that as a country, we have gone very soft on perpetrators of domestic violence, a reason for their pomposity and arrogance. There is certainly the need therefore, for our law to serve as a deterrent to others. The Domestic Violence Act was to provide victims with security. Without the necessary funding from government, the Social Welfare Department and the Police Service cannot provide the protection it is supposed to offer to such victims. Government needs to act fast to save lives and homes.