Abstract
There is limited literature on sexual coercion/harassment of university students with disabilities, hence we, explored this phenomenon in Ghana, using a sequential explanatory-mixed method design that involved 119 (62 males and 57 females) students with various disabilities in the quantitative study and 12 (7 females and 5 males) students in the qualitative phase using questionnaire and interview guide for data collection respectively. We found that participants were not aware of the university’s sexual coercion/harassment policy nor involved in its formulation/dissemination. Persistently asking for sexual relationships, pressurized for outings, attempted/forced kissing, being sexually looked at, engaging in uncomfortable sexual conversations, and sexually provocative touch were common. The main perpetrators of these acts included physically able people (24.4%), colleagues with disabilities (14.3%), and Lecturers/Administrative staff (10.9%). We recommend policies and programs’ strengthening to protect students with disabilities from such unwarranted acts.
Original language | English |
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Number of pages | 18 |
Journal | Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy |
Early online date | 18 May 2023 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 18 May 2023 |
Bibliographical note
We are sincerely grateful to all institutions, individuals and the participants for the various roles they played in doing this paper.Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
Keywords
- Disabilities
- coercion
- Ghana
- harassment
- sex
- students
- university