Over half of women who have been physically or sexually abused have not reported their abusers nor have they told anyone of their abuse.

This is according to the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey carried out by the Ghana Statistical Service which among other things measured the prevalence of domestic violence in Ghanaian households.

According to the report, 14% of women age 15-49 have ever experienced sexual violence by any perpetrator.

Thirteen percent (13%) of never-married women, 15% of women who are married or living with an intimate partner, and 21% of women who are divorced, separated, or widowed have ever experienced sexual violence.

Current and former husbands/intimate partners are the most common perpetrators of sexual violence against currently or previously married women.

However, over half of women (51%) who have experienced physical or sexual violence never sought for help or told anyone.

Ten percent (10%) never sought for help but did tell someone.

Thirty-eight percent (38%) however, did seek help to stop the violence but 10% did not seek help but told someone of the abuse.

The most common sources of help women seek are their own family and their husband’s or intimate partner’s family.