Victims of sexual assaults: The experiences of Ghanaian women. (September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Boateng, Francis D
• Is Part Of: International review of victimology. Volume 21:Number 3(2015)
• Page Start: 343
• Page End: 360
• Publication Date: 2015-09
• Subjects: Sexual assault -- victims -- reporting -- police -- rape -- women; Victims of crimes -- Periodicals; 362.8805
• DOI: 10.1177/0269758015591931
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7580

Abstract

The present study utilized a subsample of 72 respondents to investigate sexual assault victims' reporting behavior and their experiences with the reporting process in a setting which is highly understudied. Using data collected in Accra, Ghana, the study found many reasons explaining why female sexual assault victims reported incidents to the police. The most important reason cited by victims was that they wanted offenders to be caught and punished. Reasons for not reporting included perpetrators being known to the victims as well as family solving the problem. A multivariate analysis showed that sexual assault type, education, and age were significantly correlated to reporting of sexual assault to the police by victims. Policy recommendations of the findings are discussed.