Intimate Partner Violence, Domestic and Sexual Abuse, Becoming Endemic in Ghana-Lawyer Ohenewaa Afful

Human Rights Lawyer and Advocate, Ms Mary Ohenewaa Afful is appealing to government, Corporate Institutions and religious leaders to support her in advocating and fighting sexual abuse, domestic violence and abuse in intimate partnership.

She described the aforementioned as endemic which she said needs to be nipped in the bud hence the call for support.

Speaking at a news conference in Accra on Wednesday, (January 31,2024), Ms Afful emphasized that the high rate of domestic abuse in marriages and/or Intimate partner violence, the high rate of defilement cases or incidences such as sexual intercourse with children below 16 years and other domestic and sexual violence cases in both children and adults is alarming and worrisome.

She stressed that these different forms of abuse often result in severe legal and psychological consequences adding that in most cases, death, permanent injury or disability, insanity and many other health related problems and mental health disorders become the end result.

“How long can we continue neglecting this MAJOR CRISIS? And it seems to me that no one, I mean no one seems to be interested or bothered about this ‘epidemic’. Are we going to wait till DOMESTIC VIOLENCE/ ABUSE becomes a ‘PANDEMIC’?”, the Human Right Layer quizzed.

She explained that partner violence can only occur between romantic partners who may or may not be living together in the same household and it is a pattern of assaultive behaviour and coercive behaviour that may include abuse, sexual assault, progressive isolation, stalking and reproductive coercion.

“Abuse is not love. It is one person in a relationship having power and control over the other person. The cycle of violence that exists in a relationship can be challenging to break without intervention and external support systems for the victim. But if family and friends who are closest are unable to help or even understand the extent of damage a victim of abuse may be endangering their lives, then we only loose out on any help for victims in such situations”, she emphasized.

Owing to the ascendancy of domestic violence, sexual abuse and intimate partner violence, Lawyer Afful said she has dedicated her book :Preventive Crime: Pyschology Abuse and the Law” which is a training manual to sensitize and conscientize school children, Teachers, the Police and faith based organizations.

She expressed worry over how she has single handedly embarked on this campaign without support from anyone not government.

She is therefore appealing to government, political leaders, Corporate Institutions and individuals to financially support her intensify the campaign on sexual abuse, domestic violence and intimate partner abuse, since its ramifications for the country is dire.

Source:newsflashafrica