Accra, July 13, GNA - A three-day international conference on trauma of abuse of women

and children, to enable organisations, groups and individuals to draw the attention of civil

society to the dangers faced by such vulnerable groups, opened in Accra on Wednesday. The conference is under the theme: 93The Trauma of Abuse of Women and Children - A

Societal Response." It would also offer participants the opportunity to assess the legal, social, institutional and

cultural systems for victims of sexual violence and expand their knowledge and skills required

to counsel such victims. The programme is being organised by the Juniper Tree Counselling Centre, a Christian

non-profit, non-governmental organisation, that provides counselling, encouragement and

pastoral care among other things to depressed and traumatised victims of various forms of

abuses. Dr Joseline Fugar, Executive Director of Juniper Tree Counselling Centre, said the issue of

violence and abuse of women and children had increased in recent times despite the extensive

media reportage to create public awareness. She said in spite of the awareness being created, many of these sexual abuse incidences

still went unreported because of 93our cultural norms". Dr Fugar said although perpetrators of the reported cases were often duly punished by the

law, the victims were left unattended to in terms of trauma management and psychological

rehabilitation. She said the silent position of such victims resulted in psychological trauma which

continued to be the leading cause of mental illness in the country. Dr Fugar said it was unfortunate that the country lacked the capacity to deal effectively

with the increasing cases of mental health issues in terms of the doctor-patient ratio and

infrastructure. "Currently there are only 14 practicing psychiatrics in Ghana and out of the about 2.4

million Ghanaians living with mental disorders only two per cent have access to care. "Many are still ignorant about the causes and treatments available and therefore attribute

every mental illness to activities of demons and sometimes the victims attempted suicide or

even completed suicides." Dr Fugar advocated that attempted suicides should be considered a mental health issue

rather than a criminal offence and called on civil society to complement the legal efforts of

government by providing counselling and support to victims of abuse. Mrs Juliana Azumah Mensah, Minister of Women and Children's Affairs, said government

had strengthened the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana

Police Service to effectively handle such cases. She entreated all to be vigilant and report perpetrators of such crimes to the appropriate

authorities for effective action. Dr Victor Kpodo, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Juniper Tree Counselling Centre,

said it was unfortunate that the law focused on punishing perpetrators leaving the needs of

victims unattended to and called on the media to follow up on the fates of victims after court

judgements. He also said his organisation would lead the way by collaborating with the relevant bodies

to train and certify Christian pastoral counsellors who could exhibit the highest Christian

ethical standards and also establish community counselling centres across the country to

provide help to those who were hurting. 13 July 11