An Ecclesial Analysis of Child Sexual Abuse in Ghana: implications for Pastoral Response
Ebenezer Tetteh Kpalam 
and Eva Ahiataku
Issue: Vol.9 No.7 July 2023 Issue Article 6 pp. 304-317
DOI : https://doi.org/10.38159/erats.2023976 | Published online 12th July 2023.
© 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) is a pervasive problem in Ghana that has long-term negative consequences for survivors. Churches in Ghana are not immune to this menace. Although, there is no reliable data on the prevalence of CSA in churches, in some cases, Christian religious leaders have been accused as perpetrators of CSA, covering up abuse or failing to take appropriate action when abuse occurs. Using the second phase of the Pastoral Cycle, the study undertook a contextual examination of child sexual abuse in churches and the church’s role in child protection in Ghana. The paper posits that pastoral ministry of care and safeguarding of children could contribute significantly to the fight against CSA in Ghana. This article adds to the literature on curbing child sexual abuse in Ghana.
Keywords: Church, Child Sexual Abuse, Pastoral Response, Ghana
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Ebenezer Tetteh Kpalam is a Lecturer and Head of Department of Mission, Pentecost University, Ghana. His research interest includes Child theology, Child welfare and protection, pastoral psychology and African Christianity.
Eva Ahiataku is a Nurse Practitioner. She is the Executive Director of Kinder Foundation, a nongovernmental organization, focused on promoting healing communities for children. Her research interest, includes children and adolescents’ mental health, Nursing care presence, seeking pathways of collaboration between nurses and religious leaders in promoting mental health.
Kpalam, Ebenezer T. and Eva, Ahiataku. “An Ecclesial Analysis of Child Sexual Abuse in Ghana: Implications for Pastoral Response, “ E-Journal of Religious and Theological Studies, 9 no.7 (2023): 304-317. https://doi.org/10.38159/erats.2023976
© 2023 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
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