Sexual Harassment and Victimization from Four Other Types of Interpersonal Aggression in Ghana: A Cycle of Victimization

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate victimization from sexual harassment, and level of emotional distress due to it, are associated with four other types of victimization. A questionnaire was completed by 280 female university students and lecturers in Ghana. The mean age was 26.7 years (SD = 6.2). The questionnaire included scales for measuring frequency of sexual harassment, emotional distress due to sexual harassment, physical punishment during childhood, victimization from peer aggression at school, and victimization from intimate partner aggression. Respondents who were more than average victimized from sexual harassment scored significantly higher on physical punishment during childhood, victimization from peer aggression at school (revictimization), and victimization from intimate partner aggression (multiple victimization).When frequency of sexual harassment was controlled for, emotional distress caused by sexual harassment correlated positively with victimization from peer aggression at school, and victimization from verbal intimate partner aggression, thus suggesting sensitization to aggression. Victimization from sexual harassment was associated with higher levels of both previous and simultaneous victimization from other types of aggression, thus corroborating the principles of both revictimization and multiple victimization. The finding does not suggest that sexual harassment in all cases is associated with other types of victimization.

Risk Factors for Sexual Harassment in Public Places

“…In this case, victimisation from sexual harassment could constitute a form of multiple victimisation. Similar patterns of revictimisation and multiple victimisation have previously been found in Ghana, with the same research instruments (Anwar et al, 2020). The effect was the highest for victimisation from verbal intimate partner aggression, and for victimisation from peer aggression at school, and somewhat smaller for victimisation from physical punishment during childhood and physical intimate partner aggression.…”

“…with previous findings from Ghana obtained with the same method (Anwar et al, 2020). Victimisation from peer aggression in schools has been found to be predictive of other types of aggression later in life (Chiodo et al, 2009).…”

“…Female victimisation from sexual harassment in public places has been shown to constitute a form of revictimisation and/or multiple victimisation from other types of aggression. A study conducted in Ghana found that victimisation from sexual harassment in public places was associated with higher levels of victimisation during childhood from physical punishment and peer aggression at school, as well as with victimisation from verbal and physical intimate partner aggression during adulthood (Anwar, Österman, Afari-Korkor, & Björkqvist, 2020). The present study was undertaken in order to investigate whether the same risk factors for victimisation from sexual harassment could be identified in a Nordic country, Finland, which has a high level of gender equality and strict legislation against sexual harassment.…”