DOVVSU Ghana: Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit

The Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) is a specialized branch of the Ghana Police Service established in 1998 (originally WAJU — Women and Juvenile Unit) to address gender-based violence, child abuse, and sexual offenses.

Core Functions

1. Reporting & Investigation: Victim-centered intake; female officers available; statement recording; evidence collection; forensic coordination
2. Victim Support: Crisis counseling; medical referral (including forensic exams); legal guidance; temporary shelter coordination (with DSW, NGOs)
3. Prosecution Support: Case docket preparation; court accompaniment; witness coordination; liaison with AG's office
4. Prevention & Education: Community sensitization (schools, churches, markets); media campaigns; "Orange the World" (16 Days Activism); school clubs
5. Policy & Advocacy: Input to Domestic Violence Act (2007), Children's Act (1998), Criminal Code amendments; parliamentary engagement
6. Data & Research: Incident tracking; trend analysis; annual reports (underreported: estimated 10:1 actual:reported)

Structure

• National HQ: Accra (Police HQ)
• Regional Offices: All 16 regions
• District Desks: 200+ police stations
• Staff: ~500 officers (majority women); specialized training (forensics, trauma, child interviewing)

Key Partners

• Department of Social Welfare (DSW)
• Legal Aid Commission
• CHRAJ (Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice)
• FIDA-Ghana (women lawyers)
• UNFPA, UNICEF, ActionAid, Ark Foundation, WiLDAF

Challenges

• Resource constraints (vehicles, forensics, shelters)
• Cultural barriers (family pressure, "private matter" stigma)
• Case attrition (withdrawal, missing witnesses, court delays)
• Staff burnout (vicarious trauma)

Access

Hotlines: 0800-111-222 (toll-free), 0299-200-200 (WhatsApp). Walk-in any police station — ask for DOVVSU.

DOVVSU represents Ghana's institutional commitment to confronting domestic violence—imperfect, evolving, but essential.