The legal framework
The Criminal Offences Act makes sexual activity with anyone under 16 defilement, regardless of consent, and the Domestic Violence Act 2007 covers sexual violence within relationships. Marital rape is not expressly criminalised. The Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit of the police is the designated reporting route.
Key points
| Age of consent | 16 |
|---|---|
| Definition | Set out in dedicated sexual offences legislation |
| Marital rape | Criminalised in some of these jurisdictions and not in others — check the national position |
| Medical care | Post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV must begin within 72 hours |
| Forensic evidence | Best collected within 72 hours, before washing or changing clothes if possible |
| Support | One-stop centres combine medical, police and counselling services |
| Criminal Offences Act | Defines rape and defilement; defilement covers anyone under 16 |
| Domestic Violence Act 2007 | Covers sexual violence within relationships |
| DOVVSU | The police Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit handles these cases |
| Free medical form | The police medical form should be issued without charge |
In practice
- Report to the police at any station; you do not have to decide immediately whether to pursue a prosecution.
- A forensic medical examination can usually be carried out and stored before any decision to report.
- Specialist support services can attend with you and explain each step.
- Ask for written confirmation of any examination and of the report reference.
- Report to DOVVSU rather than a general police station.
- Insist that the police medical form is issued free of charge.
Recent changes
The regional trend is towards one-stop centres, which have measurably improved both survivor experience and evidence quality compared with separate police and hospital processes.
Where to go
- One-stop centres and gender-based violence recovery units in public hospitals.
- Police units specialising in sexual and gender-based violence.
- National helplines and women's rights organisations providing legal accompaniment.
Worth knowing
Go to a hospital first, ideally within 72 hours: that window covers both HIV prophylaxis and forensic evidence. Reporting to the police can follow afterwards. Being charged for the police medical form is a persistent and unlawful practice. The form is free, and DOVVSU can confirm this.
Official sources and links
- Ghana.gov — official government portal