By Gifty Amofa, GNA
Accra, Nov.29, GNA - The Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service will soon get “the One-Stop Centre of Services” for victims of domestic violence and abuse.
Mr Henry Quartey, the Deputy Interior Minister announced this at the closing session of a week-long celebration to mark the 20th anniversary of the Unit.
“I am particularly excited that DOVVSU, with support from government and other internal and external stakeholders, will soon be launching the 'One-Stop Centre of Services for victims of domestic violence and abuse”.
He explained that the “One-Stop Centre of Service” facility is expected to provide all the services needed by victims of domestic violence.
“Under the programme, a Police Station, a Clinic, Shelter, Juvenile Cell, a Social Worker, Counselor, a cafeteria, among others, will be provided under one roof, to offer services to reduce the stress victims go through.”
The Minister said it would also create an enabling environment for complaints on domestic violence and other forms of abuses to be reported in order to mitigate the frustrations victims endured when accessing support from different service providers at different locations.
Mr Quartey said plans were underway to elevate DOVVSU to a Directorate level where it would be headed by a POMAB member so that issues in connection with the Directorate could be prioritized at management level.
He said work had now resumed on the DOVVSU headquarters’ building, located within the National Police headquarters which had been left unattended and would soon be completed and handed over to the unit for optimal operational and administrative use.
He said government would continue to support the Ghana Police Service with the requisite tools and resources to enable it live up to its expected mandate.
The Deputy Minister said a number of interventions were afoot to make the Unit more vibrant and effective in tackling domestic violence issues and reduce it to the barest minimum.
He said government would continue to build the capacity of personnel to keep pace with emerging trends in criminal investigations within the criminal justice and administration System.
The Deputy Minister commended FIDA, Social Welfare, Attorney General, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) for supporting the leadership of the Police Service, especially, the DOVVSU to fulfill its mandate.
He urged staff to reflect on lessons learnt over the years and reflect on best practices in the days ahead.
Commissioner of Police (COP) Mrs Maame Yaa Tiwaah Addo-Danquah, Director General of the Criminal Investigation Department charged the personnel to ensure that victims did not become double victims in the course of handling them.
Mr Niyi Ojualape, Country Representative of UNFPA said DOVVSU is a natural treasure that everyone should pay obeisance to.
In a speech read for her behalf, Madam Ann Claire Dufay, Country Representative of UNICEF said the rate at which domestic violence against women and girls were increasing in Ghana was unacceptable and had to be curbed.
In attendance were development partners, Police Ladies’ Association, past and present staff of DOVVSU, representatives from the Ministries and Agencies and Department.
Individuals and institutions who had contributed to the growth of DOVVSU were honoured.
GNA
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