Towards preventing “decriminalization” of domestic violence at DOVVSU, Ghana

Abstract

AbstractDomestic violence in Ghana is a criminal offense under the Domestic Violence Act, 2007 (Act 732). Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service is the recommended first point of call for handling complaints. Act 732 prescribes prosecution of cases, but also provides avenue for reconciliation through ADR method under strict criteria or conditions which state, among others, that use of ADR is only for cases where violence is not aggravated or serious in nature or cases which do not attract imprisonment of more than 2 years. Since its establishment DOVVSU has seen increasing patronage of its ADR services but little information exists on case selection for the process to avoid “decriminalization” of domestic violence. This study focuses on the ADR choice decision making at DOVVSU, Kumasi to determine level of compliance with these conditions. Thematic analysis of questionnaires and in‐depth interviews of service users and providers in this qualitative study, established that DOVVSU did not follow the case selection criteria outlined in Act 732, which potentially has the effect of “decriminalization” of domestic violence in Ghana.