EFFECTS OF THE COMBAT COMMUNITY POLICING PROJECT ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN SELECTED RURAL COMMUNITIES IN BRONG AHAFO REGION

ABSTRACT The purpose of the study was to examine impact of the COMBAT community policing project on domestic violence in Brong Ahafo region of Ghana. The mixed-method approach, also known as methodological triangulation, was chosen for this study. Specifically, the descriptive case study design was adopted and a total of 89 respondents participated in the study. These included 31 police personnel, 30 COMBAT volunteers, 18 community residents, and 10 key informants. Data collection techniques included the use of both qualitative and quantitative interviews as well as focus group discussions. Also, secondary data were collected from different published and unpublished sources. The findings revealed that the COMBAT adopted three complementary strategies to holistically address domestic violence – proactive strategies, reactive strategies and women empowerment and livelihood improvement strategies. The findings also showed that COMBAT operations have contributed to obvious decline in domestic violence rates at the community level. Insufficient funding from donors, lack of transport logistics, and low incentives for volunteers were identified as major challenges of the project. In view of these, it was recommended that the COMBAT involved the Domestic Violence Secretariat, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, as well as District Assemblies (DAs) in the design and implementation of their activities as this partnership will help them receive both financial and material support when the need arises. Besides, the District COMBAT Executives were advised to work in close collaboration with the DISEC in order to get some sort of political support from the District Assemblies.