Stop these sexual predators!

GHANA is hardly exempt from violence and crime.

THIS is clear, given the recent allegations of pedophilia in Kpone-Kokompe, near Tema. Fortunately, once the victims’ father discovered the situation, he immediately reported it to the Tema Regional Office of the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU), which directly took action.

WHILE this case will be brought to justice, there are likely hundreds of others throughout Ghana that go unreported, either because victims feel threatened or because they are not aware of the resources available to them.

ALTHOUGH DOVVSU is an excellent example of where victims can turn when they are the victims of domestic violence, the program is not equipped to deal with all of the cases that should be reported, whether because of staffing shortages, space constraints, or resource management.

WHILE it may be that DOVVSU is doing the best that it can with what it has, the program needs more funding in order to ensure that they can provide for every victim that walks through the doors.

ONCE that is ensured, victims should feel more comfortable coming forward with their stories. Whether prosecution will be possible or not, it is crucial for each and every victim to seek this help, at the very least going through counseling to aid them in their recovery.

VICTIMS need to know that there is a support system in place for them, not only of psychological counseling, but also physical protection for them and their families.

WHILE it is always good to know that a paedophile has been caught and will be prosecuted, he is still just one criminal. It is important to remain vigilant about children’s activities.

UNFORTUNATELY, it often falls to the victims, rather than those around them, to report crimes. This case, however, has shown that an increased awareness in the community and, indeed, within the family, is also a crucial tool to uncover criminal activity.

THE victims’ father was alerted to his children’s frequent visits to a particular residence, allowing him to conduct further investigations on his own. Programs such as DOVVSU are vital to keeping Ghana safe and should be supported by the public and government alike.

ANY rape, assault, or threats should be reported to the regional DOVVSU office.