Beneath The Waters: Understanding the Reporting Trajectories of Domestic Violence Victims

Abstract

Domestic violence victims explore avenues within two major supporting systems, formal and informal, in their help-seeking processes for amicable resolutions or justice. Often, victims explore different avenues when seeking for help until they achieve a satisfactory remedy. The core objective of the study was to explore the help-seeking trajectories of domestic violence victims. The data was collected at the Greater Accra regional office of the Domestic Violence and Victims‟ Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service, Ministries – Accra. Twenty (20) semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with victims who made official complaints at the DOVVSU office for two months. Findings reveal that victims explore at least one informal social support before accessing formal support from DOVVSU. Reporting avenues identified within the informal support system included family, friends, religious leaders, social club leaders, superiors at work, and property owners. Quest for safety and protection, inability to endure abuse, and the need to solve disputes amicably were underlying factors for preferences of reporting avenues. Identified problems associated with disclosure of abuse included shame and mockery, lack of awareness and limitations of reporting procedures.