Survivors feel a sense of guilt for failing to protect themselves from sexual abuse – Advocate

Survivors of sexual abuse frequently experience guilt and emotional turmoil, sometimes attributing the abuse to their own failure to prevent it, according to survivor advocate Amtu Akumfi-Ameyaw. Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express, the co-founder of On This Side, a survivor-focused initiative, said feelings of guilt could intensify when students trusted figures like teachers and housemistresses failed to offer the needed protection.

Akumfi-Ameyaw, who shared her own experience of delaying to speak about abuse, recalled the impact the allegations of sexual abuse at Obuasi Senior High Technical School had on her. The allegations are the focus of investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni’s documentary, Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow. The advocate explained that survivors might grapple with a mix of emotions, finding it difficult to know whether to cry or scream.

She emphasized that survivors may feel a sense of guilt for not being able to protect themselves from abuse. The situation can become more distressing when survivors' trusted individuals, such as school authorities, fail to provide the necessary support. When people who should help are unable to do so, survivors may feel even more guilty, questioning if their experiences are valid.

Moreover, hearing others laugh about or downplay alleged abuse can exacerbate these feelings. The response survivors receive after disclosing their experiences is crucial, as it can influence their decision to continue speaking out. Akumfi-Ameyaw noted that some survivors might later retract their statements due to the emotional struggles they face.

This can sometimes lead to accusations that the abuse never occurred, despite the survivor's initial disclosure.