Peer-reviewed article

Cultural Norms, Faith Communities, and Perceptions of Child Sexual Abuse in the UK-Based Ghanaian Diaspora.

Ofosu A, Levine DT · 7 Jul 2026

Abstract

This study examines attitudes toward disclosing sexual violence and confronting unwanted sexual contact as children/adolescents among Ghanaian-born women living in the United Kingdom. Semi-structured interviews with eight women (ages 22-38) were analyzed thematically. Findings reveal early sexualization, adultification, and cultural barriers to disclosure, including patriarchal norms, purity expectations, and victim-blaming. Religious institutions were seen as both protective and complicit in abuse. Despite pressures to remain silent, younger women demonstrated a shift toward accountability and child-centered perspectives. While limited by sample size and virtual interview challenges, this study highlights a generational transition in attitudes toward sexual violence within the Ghanaian diaspora.