Sunyani, Dec. 1, GNA – Setina Aboagye, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) of the Domestic Violence and Support Unit (DOVSU) in Brong-Ahafo on Thursday said domestic violence in the region was on the increase.

Speaking at a one day seminar in Sunyani organised by Action Aid Ghana, ASP Aboagye said it was erroneous to think that domestic violence was on the decrease and that available statistics showed cases were rather on the increase.

The seminar, under the theme: “From peace in the home to peace in the World, let‘s end violence against women”, was attended by the media, women activists, religious women groups and students of second cycle institutions.

She said in 2009 and 2010 reported cases increased from 1,028 to 1,278 representing about 2.5 percent, adding the deference appeared insignificant but “it is believed that most domestic violence cases are not reported for fear of stigmatization, lack of confidence, fear of the legal system and legal cost involved”.

ASP Aboagye said the statistics also showed that women and children suffered in most of the domestic abuses more than men and stressed the need to put in efforts through education and regulatory measures to stem the tide.

She said domestic violence in the region was affecting socio-economic development of women as they were economically, physically, physiologically and emotionally abused and called for concerted effort to minimize that negative trend.

ASP Aboagye said cultural and economic strategic interventions should be designed within a comprehensive and integrated frame work to address the structural causes of violence against women while providing immediate services to victims. She appealed to the media, traditional rulers, trade unions and academia to join in partnership with the criminal justice, health care systems, parliamentarians and the educational sector to help eliminate the scourge.

Mrs Lydia Osei Marfo of the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), said domestic violence manifested more during election times.

She said violence perpetrated during and after elections had a devastating effect on women and children as children dropped out of school whilst women might no longer go about their income generating activities to support their families.

Mr John Ababa , gender activist of Action Aid Ghana, said the 16 days campaign had been commemorated by his outfit and its partners to use human rights framework to undertake development interventions to eliminate of all forms of violence against women.