POLICE INTERVENTION STRATEGIES FOR HANDLING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN SOUTHERN GHANA AND LAGOS STATE

Abstract

Domestic Violence (DV) is a precarious social problem found across all strata of society worldwide. A major effort to curb this menace was the criminalisation of domestic violence and the involvement of police in handling DV cases. Previous studies focused on the rates of DV reports to police and police role in victims’ access to justice, with little consideration for the effectiveness of police interventions in meeting victims’ needs. This study was, therefore, designed to examine the ways in which police intervention strategies in domestic violence met the needs of female victims in Southern Ghana and Lagos State. Feminist Theory, complemented with deterrence and empowerment theories, served as framework; while exploratory research design was used. A total of 10 DV police units in Ghana and Nigeria were purposively selected as case studies due to the enormous cases they handled. In Southern Ghana, the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Units in Accra-Central, Cape Coast, Sekondi, Nsawam and Takoradi Police Stations were selected. The Family Support Units in Isokoko, Ilupeju, Ikeja and Ketu Police Stations, and Gender Office were selected in Lagos State. In-depth interviews were conducted with victims (60 in Ghana and 60 in Lagos), and police officers (15 in Ghana and 15 in Lagos), while key informant interviews were conducted with social workers (two in Ghana and two in Lagos). Non-participant observation was also undertaken in the Police Stations and law courts in the countries. Secondary data garnered are textual materials. Data were thematically analysed. The intervention strategies adopted by the police in handling DV in Southern Ghana and Lagos included sensitisation, arrest, prosecution and mediation. Interventions in the two countries followed a similar procedure of investigation, and gave less priority to counselling. The interventions were mostly effective in stopping the initial abuse reported, but exposed victims to psychological and economic abuse. Ghana Police focused on prosecution, which proved effective in deterring offenders, while Nigeria Police focused on reconciliation, which preserved family relationship but aggravated revictimisation. Ghana Police employed ‘invisible’ arrest, while Nigeria Police utilised civilians in mediation of DV cases. Religious beliefs in forgiveness and God’s sovereignty were cited as major reasons for victims’ rejection of prosecution in both countries. Victims’ needs included psychosocial support, shelter, justice, medical aid, security and financial empowerment. Psychosocial support was least met in Ghana, while in Nigeria justice was least met. Corruption in the two police institutions impeded victims’ access to justice and impoverished them. Masculinisation of the police, which was more prominent in Ghana, manifested in their attitude and operations. Interventions in both countries were characterised by hostility, blaming of victims, impatience, and use of force causing secondary victimisation. Policewomen were more aggressive, hostile and less successful in handling cases than policemen in both countries. Police intervention strategies were ineffective in meeting most of victims’ needs, which created a cycle of violence and hopelessness for victims in Southern Ghana and Lagos. Government should restructure Domestic Violence units to include psychologists and social workers to provide a comprehensive approach in handling this problem.