{
  "id": 7277890,
  "title": "Ghana has a Domestic Violence Act: But can a victim afford to use it?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/ghana-has-a-domestic-violence-act-but-can-a-victim-afford-to-use-it",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-14T08:26:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/ghana-has-a-domestic-violence-act-but-can-a-victim-afford-to-use-it/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ghana has enacted a Domestic Violence Act to protect its citizens from abuse, but the question remains: can a victim truly afford to utilize this legislation? The law provides essential safeguards, recognizing that domestic violence extends far beyond physical abuse and encompasses emotional, psychological, and economic forms of mistreatment. Furthermore, it obligates the police to assist victims in obtaining medical care, securing safe housing, preserving evidence, and informing them of their available rights and support services. However, the reality is that the promise of free medical treatment for victims does not always translate into reality for those in need.\n\nImagine a survivor who has just endured an assault, only to be informed that she must find the means to cover the costs associated with her medical examination. Or picture a man who has suffered financial and psychological abuse, forced to navigate an administrative process that becomes an insurmountable financial barrier. This highlights the urgent need to acknowledge that the existence of a law on paper does not guarantee that its benefits are accessible to those who desperately require them.\n\nMany victims are already grappling with internal struggles before even reaching out to authorities. They may lack a support system, be financially dependent on the abuser, have children to consider, or find themselves in religious or social environments that promote endurance over personal well-being. Furthermore, cultural stigmas surrounding male and female victims, as well as the fear of social repercussions and retaliation, often prevent individuals from seeking help.\n\nRecent statistics from the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey indicate that nearly one-third of Ghanaian women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence since age 15, while 14 percent have faced sexual violence. Astonishingly, over one-third of ever-partnered women have endured physical, sexual, or emotional abuse from a current or most recent intimate partner. Moreover, 51 percent of women who have experienced physical or sexual violence have never sought assistance or confided in anyone about their experiences. These figures underscore the fact that the cases reported to DOVVSU represent only a small fraction of the true extent of domestic violence in Ghana.\n\nStigma and silence form a formidable infrastructure that perpetuates abuse. Ridiculing male victims, blaming female victims, pressuring couples to remain together despite abuse, and treating domestic violence as a private matter outside the purview of outsiders all contribute to this cycle. To truly address the issue, we must recognize that stigma is not merely a secondary concern; it is an integral part of the system that enables abuse to persist.\n\nThe DOVVSU's services were designed to be a lifeline for survivors, yet the financial burden they face can transform their ordeal into another form of trauma. To ensure that Ghana's Domestic Violence Act effectively protects its citizens, it is imperative that we address the economic and social barriers that stand in the way of victim support. Only then can we claim that the law is not only well-crafted but also genuinely functional in the lives of ordinary people.",
  "summary": "Imagine your daughter calls you tonight. Not somebody else’s daughter, but yours. The child you raised, educated, prayed over, advised and tried your best to prepare for life. You taught her to respect herself, choose carefully, work hard, build a future and make good decisions. Now she tells you that the person she shares a home with has assaulted her.",
  "key_points": [
    "Ghana's Domestic Violence Act protects citizens from various forms of abuse.",
    "Victims face financial and social barriers in accessing law's protections.",
    "Only a fraction of domestic violence cases are reported to authorities."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}