A clinical coordinator at the Accra Psychiatric Hospital, Dr Peggy Asiedua Ekremet, has called for immediate psychological support for students alleged to have been sexually abused at Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), warning that the experience could have lasting effects on their mental health, education and future relationships.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Dr Ekremet said the reported abuse could leave the affected students struggling with fear, shame, guilt, anxiety and other emotional difficulties, with some at risk of developing depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Her comments followed reports of sexual abuse allegedly involving the school’s headmaster. According to information discussed during the programme, 19 girls had complained of sexual assault.
Dr Ekremet said sexual abuse could have serious psychological consequences, regardless of whether the victim was a child or an adult.
“Whether it’s sexual harassment, rape, whatever, I mean, should never happen to any child or even any adult,” she said.
She explained that the immediate response to such an experience could include shock, fear, emotional numbness and, in some cases, a feeling of detachment from reality.
These reactions, she said, could develop into what mental health professionals describe as an acute stress reaction, accompanied by sadness, guilt, shame, self-blame, hopelessness and panic.
Dr Ekremet warned that the effects of sexual abuse might extend beyond the immediate emotional distress, affecting the girls’ behaviour, relationships and ability to continue with their education.
Some victims, she said, might experience flashbacks, intrusive memories and nightmares, while becoming unusually alert to potential threats.
She explained that a girl who had experienced sexual abuse could panic at the sound of a door slamming or become frightened simply by hearing a man’s name. Others might struggle to remain in the same space as men, whether they were their peers or older adults.
The psychiatrist said the experience could also lead to significant changes in behaviour, including withdrawal from friends and family, increased anger, changes in eating and sleeping patterns, and a loss of interest in school.
“Sometimes they can just say that they won’t go to school anymore. Or you would see a decline in their academic performance,” she said.
She added that the effects could undermine the girls’ self-image and influence how they approach relationships in the future.
According to Dr Ekremet, sexual abuse is a major risk factor for depression, anxiety disorders and PTSD. Some victims might also turn to alcohol, smoking or other substances in an attempt to cope with the distress.
In severe cases, she warned, the emotional burden could lead to self-harm and suicidal thoughts.
“By the time you realise, somebody has actually ended their life, because they are so distressed that the only thing they can think about is that it may be better if I were not alive,” she said.
She said that children and adolescents were particularly vulnerable and needed timely support to prevent their distress from worsening.
Responding to a question about whether the affected girls should already be receiving treatment, Dr Ekremet agreed that they needed immediate psychological first aid and continued professional care.
She said many hospitals in Ghana now had mental health units, but identified Kumasi as the nearest place to Obuasi where the girls could access a multidisciplinary team to assess and manage their needs.
“Immediate response will be to see a psychologist and, if there is a referral to the psychiatrist, for us to see whether it is just therapy they need or some may need a combination of psychological therapy and medication as well,” she said.
She said the Ghana Education Service (GES) had guidance and counselling units in schools, which could provide support to students who needed help.
However, she said that not every student would feel comfortable approaching a designated counsellor. Some might find it easier to confide in another trusted adult, including a teacher.
She urged schools to make it clear that students could speak to trusted adults and report abuse without being blamed or threatened.
“Many of us are not raised to speak our minds, but I think that this is a time when we need to let our children know that speaking up will not get you into trouble,” she said.