Cape Coast, Oct 8, GNA - Mrs Beatrice Amoako, Central Regional Commander of the Women And Juvenile Unit (WAJU) of the Police Service, on Tuesday said some police officers still regard domestic violence issues as mere family or marital problems that did not warrant any interference.

She described domestic violence as a social canker, which had caused many deaths, severe disfigurement and disability in homes and said it should not be taken lightly.

Mrs Amoako was speaking at a seminar on 'domestic violence' organised by the Unit in collaboration with the regional secretariat of the National Population Council (NPC) for 26 police officers drawn from the Cape Coast, Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem and Mfantsiman districts. She said the Unit has recorded 2,023 cases since it opened in the region last year and appealed to the participants for support in "eradicating this evil practice".

The Regional Police Commander, Mr Bernard Guyiri Dery, said a law would soon be passed on marital rape, which he said was becoming a problem in the society and asked men to respect their wives to bring peace in their homes.

He cautioned officers attached to the Unit not to be too 'legalistic' and quick in sending cases brought before them to court but to weigh critically all aspects of a case before taking decisions.