A medical doctor and child health advocate, Maame Serwaa Gyamfi Aboagye, has warned that many cases of child abuse are perpetrated by people known and trusted by victims, making it harder for children to speak out.
She made the remarks at a thought leadership programme on domestic violence hosted by Adom TV, Adom FM, and Asempa FM, themed “Safe Homes, Strong Society: Ending Domestic Violence and Hidden Abuse Together.”
According to Dr. Aboagye, abusers are often relatives, family friends, or household members, including uncles, aunties, and house helps.
“Sometimes it’s the familiar faces that abuse our children,” she said, noting that the closeness between victims and perpetrators creates fear and makes reporting difficult.
She explained that children may hesitate to speak up due to fear of causing conflict within the family or not being believed.
Dr. Aboagye stressed the importance of open communication between parents and children, urging parents to create safe spaces for their children to share concerns.
She also pointed out that in many cases, teachers are the ones who first identify and report abuse, as some parents may be too busy to notice early warning signs.
Highlighting the long-term effects, she said abuse can lead to deep emotional trauma that may persist into adulthood, underscoring the need for psychological support and counselling for victims.
The health advocate further encouraged parents to pursue justice through legal channels, despite delays in the system.
“Justice is not instant, but when abusers are held accountable, it deters others,” she added.
The programme forms part of ongoing efforts to raise awareness and strengthen responses to domestic violence and child protection in Ghana.
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