Adverse Childhood Experiences and Child Sexual Exploitation in Ghana

Abstract

PurposeRoughly 40 million children experience adversities every year and this has potential to impact the wellbeing of children. Short and long-term consequences include sexual abuse and exploitation, self-harm, excessive use of alcohol and harmful drugs. This paper discusses the association between childhood adversity and child sexual exploitation (CSE) in Ghana.MethodsThis study utilized data collected on CSE from mining, oil and gas, fishing, agricultural, construction and e-waste enclaves of Ghana. We surveyed children aged 13-17 years and young people aged 18-24 (N = 1,272) from schools and households in randomly selected enumeration areas in seven administrative districts in Ghana. A battery of questions was used to develop measures of adversity and CSE experiences. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data.ResultsAround 39% and 35% of survey participants had a record of moderate to high adversity respectively. The overall prevalence of CSE was 27% and disaggregated by sex, the prevalence was slightly higher in females (28.5%) than in males (24.3%), but this was not significant. In our bivariate logistic models, we found significant a effect of adversity on CSE experiences of girls and young women. The effect remains in the multivariate model for girls but not for boys.ConclusionsChildhood adversity is a predictor of CSE and girls with histories of adversity remain most vulnerable regardless of other personal and household characteristics. There is a need for collaborative efforts among child protection stakeholders in enhancing social welfare interventions that minimizes adversity in childhood and its impacts on the safety of children.