West Africa: How Ghana and Nigeria Police Handle Domestic Violence Cases

analysis

Since the 1970s feminist movement for the support of abused women under the appellation "Battered Women's Movement", the struggle against domestic violence has continued. In Ghana, for example, national records reveal that one-third of women have been victims of domestic violence. In Nigeria, 33% of women aged 15-49 have experienced either physical or sexual violence in a domestic setting.

Both Ghana and Nigeria enacted laws on domestic violence in 2007. They essentially criminalised domestic violence and made police involvement mandatory. Special domestic violence units were set up in the two countries' police institutions. The Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit was created within the Ghana Police Service, while the Family Support Unit was established in the Nigeria Police Force.

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