Violence, Harassment and Health in Tertiary Institutions in Ghana

Abstract

This study investigated the prevalence of Ethnic/Racial/Religious harassment within public tertiary institutions. We further investigated whether Ethnic/Racial/Religious minorities were more bothered by racial and religious harassment, or whether they were bothered more by sexual harassment instead. The study participants were six (6) public universities, ten (10) polytechnics and three (3) public professional institutions. Respondents completed self-administered and anonymous survey with open-ended question about critical events within the 12 months preceding the study, which they appraised as violent or harassment. The results revealed that the overall incidence of violence (inclusive of sexual harassment, bullying, verbal insults, threats) and physical threats or attacks, general verbal insults (irrespective of victim’s antecedents) to be common among the participants. The study found that Ethnic/Racial/Religious harassment negatively affects the victims’ health outcome in the same way as sexual harassment. It discusses the results and considers the implications for policy, research and practice.