Law enforcement crucial in combating sexual abuse in Ghana – Study

A study involving Prof. Ebenezer Owusu Addo of the Institute of Rural Development and Innovation Studies (IRDIS) at the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) highlights the growing challenge of sexual exploitation and abuse of children and women in Ghana.

Published in Aggression and Violent Behaviour, the research underscores the critical role of law enforcement in both preventing and responding to such cases, while also revealing a significant gap in understanding how these interventions function, who they benefit most, and the conditions under which they are most effective.

The researchers adopted a realist review approach, focusing not only on outcomes but also on the underlying mechanisms that drive them.

Insights were drawn from a multi-institutional workshop involving 20 stakeholders in law enforcement and protection services and further refined through a comprehensive review of literature published between 2011 and 2023 across seven academic databases.

The findings indicate that effective law enforcement interventions extend beyond reactive measures.

 They depend on strong coordination and planning, clearly defined protocols, and proactive investigations that anticipate and prevent abuse before it occurs.

Awareness creation also emerged as a key component, helping to shape community attitudes and challenge the conditions that enable exploitation.

The researchers emphasise that the success of these interventions is highly context-dependent, influenced by institutional capacity, levels of community trust, and broader socio-cultural dynamics.

The study concludes by calling for further research to better understand how law enforcement strategies operate across different settings.

Such insights, it notes, are essential for developing targeted, evidence-based approaches that can more effectively protect children and women and strengthen Ghana’s response to sexual exploitation and abuse.