Media urged to desist from trivialising issues of Gender-Based Violence  

Assistant Commissioner of Police Owusuwaa Kyeremeh, the Director of Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU), has urged the media to desist from trivialising issues of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) to avoid emboldening perpetrators and reducing its seriousness.  

ASP Kyeremeh made the call during an engagement with the media in Accra on DOVSU’s activities and how the Unit can collaborate with the media to fight Gender-Based Violence.  

The DOVVSU, established in October 1998 with the original name; Women and Juvenile Unit (WAJU) of the Ghana Police Service, is a  specialised unit within the Service to respond to the increasing number of reported cases of abuse and violence against women and children.  

In 2005, the name was changed to DOVVSU to erase the perception that WAJU was a place where only women and children could go to seek redress, making men to shy away from it.  

The Unit addressed all forms of abuse, be it physical, sexual, emotional/psychological, socio-economic and harmful cultural practices.  

ASP Kyeremeh explained that the media was a powerful tool for change and an important partner in the fight against GBV, therefore their utterances, actions and inactions influenced society.  

She noted that some media outfits, especially the local language speaking ones, sensationalised GBV related issues and took away its seriousness and sensitivity, reducing the victims to ridicule.  

The Director advocated responsible and ethical reporting on GBV in a way that empowered victims to speak up and seek justice.  

ASP Kyeremeh called on the media to uphold victims’ dignity and privacy and ensure the protection of the children’s identity.  

She urged them to avoid sensationalism and victim-blaming, and use the appropriate language and images in their reports.  

The Director encouraged the media to collaborate and refer GBV cases reported by their audiences to the DOVVSU.  

ASP Kyeremeh urged them to educate the public, highlighting available support systems and how to report cases responsibly.  

She said it was imperative for the media to participate in training and sensitisation programmes,  support awareness campaigns and community outreach to help eradicate GBV.  

The Director cautioned them against publishing GBV cases reported to them by the public, particularly those who claimed they had approached the DOVVSU, without verifying the facts from the Unit.  

ASP Kyeremeh announced the commemoration of 30 days activism against GBV in July this year, which would be an annual event as part of efforts to end GBV.  

The activities would include story telling on the Ghanaian culture of respect for women, sensitisation programmes in schools, churches and markets and lorry stations.  

She led the media in a tour of the One-Stop Centre, showing them facilities available to GBV victims and their children.  

Source: GNA