Parents of the Fountain of Love Child Development Center of the Assemblies of God church, Prampram in partnership with Compassion International (an NGO), have been advised to report all sexual abuse cases to the nearest Police or Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU).
Chief Inspector Sabina Blay, of the Tema DOVVSU, advised parents and guardians to report all rape, defilement and incest cases to the nearest Police or Hospital for immediate arrest and prosecution of culprits.
She made this call during an educational programme for parents and guardians at Assemblies of God, Fountain of Love Church, Prampram, in the Ningo-Prampram District, recently.
She said that since sexual abuse, especially against minors, is a criminal offence, parents should not allow family heads, Assemblymen or any other persons to handle such cases other than the Police.
She added that there have been instances where family heads and others who were supposed to ensure the law took its course, collected monies for the victim’s parents and left the culprit off the hook. She warned that the Police will not deal kindly with such parents who will condone such crimes.
Pastor Kwamena Sekyi-Yorke, of Fountain of Love Church, urged parents to ensure that their wards on the FLCDC in partnership with Compassion International attend school and the CDC Project all the time.
“In order for the support- school fees, books, birthday gifts and medical among others, received from the Project become meaningful and bring benefits to the parents and community at large, parents should take good care of their children,” he added.
He said that it is unfortunate that although, FLCDC and Compassion are prepared to assist Project children to attain higher education, parents have neglected their role and most of the children cannot pursue education beyond SHS and called on parents to help their children climb higher the academic/vocational ladder.
The Project Coordinator, Ms. Lydia Dzigbordi thanked the parents and DOVVSU officers for their presence and educating parents on the importance of child protection.
By: Eugenia Tenkorang/citifmonline.com/Ghana