The Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department( CID), COP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah (Mrs), has debunked notions that the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) breaks homes in resolving domestic violence and abuse cases.

Rather, she stressed, the unit is careful not to break homes while fighting domestic violence and abuse of all kinds.

Speaking at the climax of the DOVVSU at the 20 Anniversary Celebration in Accra, the CID boss added that DOVVSU was devising new strategies to fight domestic violence and abuse in order not to break homes but rather protect homes while at the same time enforcing domestic violence laws.

“In these two decades, the unit has gone through a series of transformation in both concept and practice. The unit has resolved to use a soft approach to combat domestic violence crimes, especially those involving the nuclear family members. We are careful not to break homes while fighting domestic violence and abuse of all kinds,” he noted at the ceremony.

Making DOVVSU more accessible

According to the CID boss, DOVVSU is taking steps to make the unit more accessible to the public so as to better carry out its mandate despite the challenges in terms of logistics and personnel.

“Twenty years of protecting lives and property in the domestic setting is an epic achievement. Being a victim of domestic violence and abuse can be very traumatic. It is for this reason that beyond twenty years DOVVSU is positioning itself to become more accessible and reachable to all manner of persons who are suffering some kind of domestic violence and abuse,” he assured.

She also expressed gratitude to all individuals and groups that have been instrumental in the establishment and successes of the unit, singling out the founding head of the unit, COP Mrs Anim Botchway for much praise.

DOVVSU was set up in 1999 as the Women and Juvenile Unit (WAJU) to tackle crimes involving the domestic setting.