Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Owusuwaa Kyeremeh, Director of the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU), is calling for a media transformation—from passive reporters to active allies—in Ghana’s fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
Speaking during a media engagement in Accra, ACP Kyeremeh emphasized the crucial role journalists play in shaping public attitudes towards abuse and victim support. She expressed concern over the growing trend of sensationalism in media reports, particularly by some local language broadcasters, which she said undermines the severity of GBV and reduces victims to objects of ridicule.
“The media is one of the most powerful tools in society. But when issues of abuse are trivialised or treated as entertainment, it emboldens perpetrators and silences survivors,” she warned.
The engagement, aimed at strengthening collaboration between DOVVSU and the media, focused on ethical reporting, victim protection, and accurate case handling. ACP Kyeremeh urged media houses to avoid victim-blaming, sensational headlines, and the use of inappropriate imagery, and to instead adopt a survivor-centred approach that respects privacy and human dignity—especially that of children.
She also cautioned against publishing unverified stories submitted by individuals claiming to have reported cases to DOVVSU. “Always cross-check with us. Publishing without verification could jeopardize investigations or worsen a victim’s trauma,” she added.
Highlighting the evolution of DOVVSU—from its early days as the Women and Juvenile Unit (WAJU) in 1998 to its more inclusive current mandate—ACP Kyeremeh noted the unit now handles all forms of abuse, including physical, sexual, emotional, socio-economic, and harmful cultural practices, affecting both men and women.
She announced a new initiative—“30 Days of Activism Against GBV”—set to be observed annually in July. The campaign will include storytelling sessions celebrating Ghana’s cultural values of respect, and community outreach in schools, churches, markets, and lorry stations to raise awareness and educate the public on how to identify, report, and respond to abuse.
To demonstrate DOVVSU’s support infrastructure, ACP Kyeremeh led journalists on a tour of the Unit’s One-Stop Centre, where victims and their children receive coordinated services including psychosocial support, medical assistance, and legal aid.
Calling for deeper collaboration, she encouraged the media to take part in future sensitisation and training activities and to act as conduits for channeling reported cases to the appropriate authorities.
“The media must go beyond headlines and help build a society where survivors feel safe to speak, seek justice, and rebuild their lives,” she concluded.
