Breaking the silence of sexual abuse: Voices of Ghanaian school girl survivors

For too long, Ghanaian society has turned its head whiles victims of sexual abuse have suffered in silence. The mere incarceration of perpetrators does not erase the social isolation and psychological legacy that is left behind for the victims. Beyond stiff penalties and the creation of public awareness and sensitization, the antidote lies in an accurate assessment of the experiences and needs of victims. This book is a resonance of the voices of thirty school girl survivors of sexual abuse. Their narrations of disrupted family and social relationships, struggles with guilt and self-blame, fear, shame, flashbacks and suicidal tendencies plus the distresses caused by unwanted pregnancies which led to the curtailment of their life aspirations heighten the reader's understanding and appreciation of the extent and depth of their pain and suffering. They present the reader with knowledge that is crucial to effectively address their pain. This is a must-read for all parents, school authorities, counsellors, researchers, gender activists and indeed, young adults themselves.