MPs Worried Over High Rate of Defilement Cases in Ghana


Some Members of Parliament have raised concerns about growing cases of defilement in the Country.

The MPs have called on the Court to deal decisively with any man found guilty of the act to serve as a deterrent to other men, who may develop appetite for sleeping with under-aged or in some circumstances "baby girls".

The lawmakers expressed shocked and dismay over an alleged sexual assault against a novice, few days ago, when contributing to a statement made on the floor.

According to the maker of the statement, MP for Assin South, Rev John Ntim Fordjour, titled: Trends of Sexual Assault in Ghana, the MP said he was downhearted when he first heard the story in Media.

He noted, "Mr Speaker, as a father, my heart was broken at the incident reported of the defilement of a four (4)-year old girl on October 16, 2017 at Assin Adadientem in the Central Region. 

I rise to strongly condemn the alleged dastardly act in no uncertain terms". 

The man of God on the floor of Parliament, stated that, the act of the man has grossly violates the fundamental human rights and dignity of this innocent girl, adding that, "it is detestable that when sheer lust had led to a crime, justice seemed to be suppressed at some point".


Below is the full statement:

Statement on Trends of Sexual Assault in Ghana By Rev John Ntim Fordjour, MP for Assin South

Thank you Mr. Speaker, for affording me the opportunity to make this statement on Trends of Sexual Assault in Ghana. 

Jesus admonished in Matthew 19:14 “Let these little children come unto me without hindrance, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven”. 

Children in our society deserve the best of respect, protection and care, and we all must fully commit to ensuring that the necessary provisions are put in place. 

Mr. Speaker, the prevalence of sexual assault in Ghana is of great concern and demands conscientious and immediate action to curtail it. 

Mr. Speaker, sexual assault is often referred to as sexual act in which a person is coerced or physically forced to engage in sexual act against their will; or non-consensual sexual touching of a person. 

Sexual assault, as a form of sexual violence is manifest in rape, groping, child sexual abuse, or the torture of the person in a sexual manner. Sexual assault covers physical or sexual violence against a person, whether male or female, which violates the person’s bodily integrity and sexual autonomy. 

Although sexual assault can be committed by and against both sexes, it is sad to concede that women and children are often the victims. 

Mr. Speaker, it is also very sad to acknowledge that Child Sexual Abuse (CSA), as a form of child abuse, in which an adult or older adolescent abuses a child for sexual stimulation is quite prevalent.  

Forms of CSA include asking or pressuring a child to engage in sexual activities, indecent exposure of the genitals to a child, the display of pornographic materials to a child, physical sexual contact with a child, physical contact with the child's genitals, sexually-prejudiced viewing of a child's genitalia without physical contact, or using a child to produce child pornography.
	
From a global perspective Mr Speaker, findings from the 2014 UNICEF study, indicate that an estimated 120 million girls under the age of 20 (i.e. approximately 1 in 10) have been subjected to forced sexual intercourse or other forced sexual acts at some point in their lives. 

The World Health Organisation also estimates that at least 20 per cent of the world’s women have been physically or sexually abused by men.

In Ghana, distressing statistics from the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service do indicate that a total of 5,752 children were defiled between 2010 and 2014; that is those cases that were reported.  

According to Ghana Living Standards Survey 6 published in 2014, 93 per cent of defilement cases are unreported. 

Thus the 5,752 reported cases within the period may just represent a tip of the iceberg as many other rape and defilement cases failed to be reported. 

The non-reporting phenomenon of sexual assault cases is largely attributable among others, to the lack of the wherewithal on the part of victims and parents to afford medical attention which forms the entry point to substantiating a charge against suspects. To this end, I call for the state to absorb the cost of medical expenses incurred by victims under the National Health Insurance Scheme. 
Additionally, it is high time Traditional leaders, family heads and leaders of various houses of faith refrained from obstructing the course of justice in respect of cases related to sexual violence. 

I hereby appeal that sexual assault cases must be exposed, promptly reported, and justice served in order to signal strong deterrence to perpetrators.

Mr Speaker, as a father, my heart was broken at the incident reported of the defilement of a four (4)-year old girl on October 16, 2017 at Assin Adadientem in the Central Region. 

I rise to strongly condemn the alleged dastardly act in no uncertain terms. 

It grossly violates the fundamental human rights and dignity of this innocent girl. It is detestable that when sheer lust had led to a crime, justice seemed to be suppressed at some point. 

Thankfully, by the joint action of the Ghana Police Service, Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the media, Alliance for Women in Media Africa and other concerned advocacy groups, the poor victim is being well protected and catered for, while justice is also being served. 

Immediately when the unfortunate incident came to my notice, I took the initiative and facilitated the temporary relocation of the victim and her family to a safe location from the village where the incident had occurred. 

As part of my intervention, I supported the victim’s family with their medical bills, stipends and assorted foodstuff to offer them relief and sound mind. 

Subsequently the suspect was apprehended and is currently facing trial. 

I further took the victim and mother to live with me at home in Accra to personally ensure their well-being. 

By the kind intervention of the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the victim and her mother are currently being sheltered outside the Constituency and receiving further medical treatment and psycho-social support. 

Mr. Speaker, the beautiful and innocent girl who is fast recovering from her ordeal, disclosed to me her dream of becoming a police officer in the future. 

I instantly made a personal pledge, to support her until her dream is fully realized.

Mr. Speaker, in addressing the prevalence of sexual assault in Assin South Constituency, as occurs in many other locations and areas in the country, I have scheduled a series of Town Hall Meetings and rigorous media campaign, to commence next week, in collaboration with the Ministry of Information, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Ghana Police Service, NCCE, and Assin South District Assembly to heighten education and awareness creation to end the unfortunate trend of sexual assaults in the Assin South District, in particular.

In conclusion, may I appeal to all relevant stakeholders to rise to the occasion in this collective fight to root out from society, the unfortunate trend of defilement, rape and all other sexual abuses within the shortest possible time.

Mr. Speaker, I am indeed grateful.

GBCONLINE
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