Silent and Lethal: Consequences of Sexual Violence Against Married Women in Ghana

Apatinga, Gervin Ane; Tenkorang, Eric Y.; Issahaku, Paul Alhassan

doi:10.1177/0886260520905552

Cited by 9 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Ssewanyana et al highlighted the occurrence of genital trauma among adolescent girls resulting from sexual assault [ 14 ]. Apatinga et al demonstrated that sexual violence was accompanied by physical abuse, leading to physical injuries among women [ 15 ]. Azumah et al reported that visually impaired women who experienced gender-based violence faced a higher risk of injuries including genital injuries [ 16 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… • Genital trauma resulting from sexual assault was experienced by many adolescent girls. Apatinga et al, 2021 [ 15 ] Ghana To explore the consequences of sexual violence against married women in the Eastern Region • Following sexual violence and abuse, women experienced physical injuries. Azumah et al, 2019 [ 16 ] Ghana To find answers to GBV against visually impaired persons in the Kumasi and their experiences in relation to GBV • GBV had effects of battering against visually impaired women, leading to a greater risk of injuries such as genital injuries.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Injuries and /or trauma due to sexual gender-based violence among survivors in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic scoping review of research evidence

Kuupiel,

Lateef,

Adzordor

et al. 2024

Arch Public Health

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Background Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is a prevalent issue in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), causing injuries and trauma with severe consequences for survivors. This scoping review aimed to explore the range of research evidence on injuries and trauma resulting from SGBV among survivors in SSA and identify research gaps. Methods The review employed the Arksey and O’Malley methodological framework, conducting extensive literature searches across multiple electronic databases using keywords, Boolean operators, medical subject heading terms and manual searches of reference lists. It included studies focusing on injuries and trauma from SGBV, regardless of gender or age, published between 2012 and 2023, and involved an SSA countries. Two authors independently screened articles, performed data extraction and quality appraisal, with discrepancies resolved through discussions or a third author. Descriptive analysis and narrative synthesis were used to report the findings. Results After screening 569 potentially eligible articles, 20 studies were included for data extraction and analysis. Of the 20 included studies, most were cross-sectional studies (n = 15; 75%) from South Africa (n = 11; 55%), and involved women (n = 15; 75%). The included studies reported significant burden of injuries and trauma resulting from SGBV, affecting various populations, including sexually abused children, married women, visually impaired women, refugees, and female students. Factors associated with injuries and trauma included the duration of abuse, severity of injuries sustained, marital status, family dynamics, and timing of incidents. SGBV had a significant impact on mental health, leading to post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideations, and psychological trauma. Survivors faced challenges in accessing healthcare and support services, particularly in rural areas, with traditional healers sometimes providing the only mental health care available. Disparities were observed between urban and rural areas in the prevalence and patterns of SGBV, with rural women experiencing more repeated sexual assaults and non-genital injuries. Conclusion This scoping review highlights the need for targeted interventions to address SGBV and its consequences, improve access to healthcare and support services, and enhance mental health support for survivors. Further research is required to fill existing gaps and develop evidence-based strategies to mitigate the impact of SGBV on survivors in SSA.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Injuries and /or trauma due to sexual gender-based violence among survivors in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic scoping review of research evidence

Kuupiel,

Lateef,

Adzordor

et al. 2024

Arch Public Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…The same observation has been made by several authors. In Ghana and Brazil, sexual violence was also accompanied by physical and psychological violence [12,13]. Also in Nigeria, physical violence was the most common type experienced by women (58.1%) [14].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The same applies to feelings of shame and guilt, which often prevent victims from seeking help from health professionals [2,19]. In Ghana, women have suffered physical injuries, psychological problems, sexual and reproductive health problems and suicidal thoughts as a result of violence [12]. These health problems have significantly affected their economic activities and impoverished their income.…”

Section: Source Of Fundingmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Perception of Women on Gender-Based Violence in Guinea: A Qualitative Study

Dioulde¹,

Ramata²,

Oury³

et al. 2022

Int J Womens Health Wellness

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Background: Gender-based violence exists and is increasing worldwide, with higher rates in African regions where gender inequality persists. It affects adolescent girls and adult women. In Guinea, violence against women is a widespread phenomenon. Indeed, 9 out of 10 women aged from 15 to 64 have been victim of at least one act of violence. The objective of this study is to explore the perceptions of women in the community about the violence that they have undergone. Methods:It is a qualitative study using focus group discussions (FGD) with women aged 15-49 in three health districts.Results: Of the 18 FGD conducted, young women aged 20 to 24 were the most represented (33%). The main types of Gender-based violence include physical violence, sexual violence (rape) and verbal violence. These types of violence are committed by husbands and boyfriends as well as parents of young girls in a context of forced marriage. The consequences of this violence are injuries, unwanted pregnancies, induced abortions, woman humiliation, depression, divorce and abandonment of the children by the husbands. Women's attitudes to this violence are essentially to remain silent for fear to be stigmatized, health care seeking and filing complaints to the gendarmerie/police or to the leaders of district and notables. Conclusion:GBV is recurrent in Guinea in all its forms. The perpetrators are intimate partners, family members and unknown aggressors. This phenomenon requires sustained attention of the authorities and a commitment of all the stakeholders in order to highlight the problem and make advocation for women so that these acts of violence can be reduced.

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A survey analysis of barriers to help-seeking at the Ghana Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU)

Tenkorang

2021

J Fam Viol

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Silent and Lethal: Consequences of Sexual Violence Against Married Women in Ghana

Cited by 9 publications

References 33 publications

Injuries and /or trauma due to sexual gender-based violence among survivors in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic scoping review of research evidence

Injuries and /or trauma due to sexual gender-based violence among survivors in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic scoping review of research evidence

Perception of Women on Gender-Based Violence in Guinea: A Qualitative Study

A survey analysis of barriers to help-seeking at the Ghana Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU)

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