Child Abuse and Neglect
Volume 40, 2015, Pages 103-112

Stories from Lake Volta: The lived experiences of trafficked children in Ghana (Article)

Hamenoo E.S.* , Sottie C.A.
  • a Department of Social Work, University of Ghana, PO Box LG419, Legon, Ghana
  • b Department of Social Work, University of Ghana, PO Box LG419, Legon, Ghana

Abstract

Child trafficking is one of the worst forms of child maltreatment and is often difficult to recognize when it happens intra-country. This paper presents the narratives of children on their experiences as victims of trafficking in fishing communities along the Volta Lake in the Volta region of Ghana. The narratives were co-constructed with the children through child-friendly participatory approaches which involved drawings, writing, and in-depth interviews. The stories reflect the magnitude of maltreatment trafficked children suffer, which ranges from physical to psychological and emotional. The authors recommend commitment by the government to the implementation of the Human Trafficking Act to deter child traffickers. Further studies on the living conditions of rescued children and the need to implement strategies to prevent re-trafficking are suggested. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.

Author Keywords

Child maltreatment child trafficking Slavery Intra-country trafficking Human trafficking Ghana

Index Keywords

personal experience verbal hostility human trafficking act child trafficking writing health care policy human medical research controlled study Ghana geographic distribution participant observation qualitative research physical abuse Humans psychology health impact assessment storytelling male female drawing victim human trafficking Article Child Abuse sexual harassment legal aspect government regulation crime victim employment child care Crime Victims Child

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84964227478&doi=10.1016%2fj.chiabu.2014.06.007&partnerID=40&md5=ed1db8a511b8f59bf4410ce1ccd8c6d0

DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2014.06.007
ISSN: 01452134
Cited by: 9
Original Language: English