Some Epidemiological Characteristics of Perpetrators and Victims of Incest in Contemporary Ghana: Analysis of Media Reports

Emmanuel N.B. Quarshie, Joseph Osafo, Charity S. Akotia, Jennifer Peprah, Johnny Andoh-Arthur

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In Ghana, incest is considered sinful, taboo, and illegal. However, recent media reports show that incest has become a daily reality in Ghana. This study is a situational analysis of the pattern of incest in Ghana as reported in the media from January 2008 through July 2015. Qualitative content analysis was conducted on 48 incest news reports in Ghana. The findings showed that father–daughter incest was most frequent across the study period. Forty-seven females aged 3 to 25 years and a male aged 3 years were identified as victims. Generally, the incest lasted between 1 day and 13 years before disclosure. Perpetrators employed psychological and/or physical methods to coerce their victims. Marital difficulties, diabolical control, and seduction by victim featured prominently as alleged motives behind the abuse. The study observes that the recent increase in father–daughter incest warrants an immediate shift of research attention onto men’s mental health in Ghana.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)121-139
Number of pages19
JournalJournal of Child Sexual Abuse
Volume26
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 17 Feb 2017

Keywords

  • child sexual abuse
  • diabolical control
  • father–daughter incest
  • marital difficulties
  • violence against women

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