Defilement is any form of sexual intercourse with a child below the age of 16 years.
Currently, having sex with a child below 16 years is considered a crime in Ghana under Crìmìnal Offenses Act, 1960.
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Specifically, defilement occurs when the intercourse has to do with an elderly man and a girl who is below sixteen years. If the case applies to a boy below the ages of 16, the case of defilement does apply to them.
Below Is the definition of defilement according to the Criminal Offenses Act-1960(Act 29), section 101.
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It is the natural or unnatural carnal knowledge of any child below the ages of 16.
Whoever naturally or unnaturally carnally knows the child is below 16 years, whether with or without his or her consent commits an offense and shall be held liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term or not less than seven years and not more than twenty-five years.
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The primary impression being created is that defilement has become more rampant, some leading to death and permanent deformity of victims.
The effect of defilement on the victim includes pains in the private parts, HIV/AIDS, syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases.
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As time goes on, the victim is likely to experience long-term psycho-traumatic problems like anxiety, nightmares, bed-wetting and fear.
It should be noted that both our actions and inactions contribute to the state of our society. Therefore, all hands are needed on deck in the fight against defilement.
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Defilement cases in the country must be fairly tackled. The government must begin with must mete out stiffer punishments/penalties to culprits.
It should be noted that we all have a role to play, and as such we must uphold the campaign against the surge of defilement cases in Ghana.
