The Volta Regional Police PRO, SGT Prince James Dogbatse says reports gathered by him after investigations into murder of Elizabeth Yesutor by her boyfriend indicated that she reported one of the physical abuse incidents to the police earlier but later withdrew the matter after recovering.
The Police PRO who expressed worry over the recent cases of spousal abuse, leading to death of two beautiful ladies said such decisions on the part of victims put the police in a tight situation and are therefore unable to act accordingly.
He was reacting to the two recent cases of spousal abuse recorded in the Volta Region.
First in the Volta Region, a Deputy Director of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) Philip Caezar Kumah, allegedly beat his girlfriend to death at Akatsi North.
Just on Monday, 25-year-old lady, Harriet Kafui Ahiati, was also murdered under bizarre circumstances by her boyfriend over cheating allegations in Ho.
Speaking to the cases on Atinka TV’s morning show, hosted by Ekourba Gyasi Simpremu, SGT Prince James Dogbatse said most of the victims preferred to keep the abuse cases to themselves for reasons best known to them.
He said although the Command normally tries to resolve issues leading to spousal abuse, the abuse cases that leads to deaths are those that are not reported.
“With the previous case recorded that the lady went to the hospital and died, we gathered later that she reported the case to the police at Avedapka and then after she got admitted at the hospital for four days, when she recovered fully, she went back to the police and told them that she needed no case again,” he said.
He added that ” The police is always handicapped when such issues are solved outside the police station. It is not the case that the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) does not manage relationships, we do that; it is where the cases don’t come to our attention that situations like these will happen,” he said.
Meanwhile, SGT Dogbatse said the police is ready to give the best counsel to couples who have problems leading to spousal abuse in order to stop such deaths.
He, therefore, urged people to speak up or report cases of abuse to the police henceforth.
“We will give the best counsel; we will give the very best solution to whatever challenges they have and so we are urging them to take action. If you have challenges in your relationship please speak about it, let the DOVVSU know, let the police know,” he said.
He added that,“If DOVVSU is not close to you, go to any police station nearby and report the bahaviour of your partner. Once you are in an abusive relationship, let this be lessons to us, because if you are in it and you do not speak, at some point you may lose your life.”
