Socio-economic challenges, stigma and weak confidence in the justice system are contributing to the withdrawal of defilement cases by families in northern Ghana, a regional gender official said.
James Twene, regional director of the Department of Gender, said community engagements reveal that while defilement remains widespread, some parents are reluctant to pursue justice.
“Defilement is a serious criminal offense that we should not tolerate,” he said during a radio discussion. “But some families withdraw cases due to socio-economic and systemic pressures.”
Mr Twene cited poverty and financial inducements as major factors, explaining that perpetrators or their families sometimes offer money to victims’ relatives to settle cases privately.
He also pointed to the high cost of transportation and legal processes, especially for families in remote areas, as a barrier to pursuing cases through the courts.
In addition, stigma and fear of community judgment discourage some families from reporting or continuing with cases, particularly when victims are young girls.
Mr Twene stressed that such cases should never be handled at the family or community level, urging victims’ families to report to law enforcement and allow the justice system to take its course.
