New Crystal Hospital in partnership with Lumière Foundation engaged over 500 students on prevention of sexual assault

A number of schools in the Ashaiman Municipality are receiving education on sexual assault prevention thanks to a collaboration between New Crystal Hospital a top provider of healthcare services in Ghana and the Lumière Foundation.

This initiative forms part of activities New Crystal Hospital and Lumière Foundation are undertaking to create awareness, provide education on how to prevent sexual assault, empower victims and provide free medical and psychological treatment to sexually abused victims in Ghana.

Representatives from New Crystal Hospital and Margherita Melody Nana Adwoa Boatemaa Oppong the first runner-up of Miss Ghana UK 2022 and founder of Lumière Foundation engaged over 500 students at Solidarity International School and Bethel A.M.E Zion School in the Ashaiman Municipality on how to prevent themselves from being sexually abused.

Nana Adwoa advises the students to talk to their most trusted person (parents, siblings, teachers, etc) when sexually abused. According to Nana Adwoa, most abusers will instruct the victim to conceal the abuse. “This might be said in a polite manner, such as, "I love playing with you, but if you tell anyone else what we played they won't let me come over again."

Alternatively, it could be a warning/threat: "This is our little secret. If you tell anyone, you'll be in serious trouble or I will kill you” which frightens the victims not to speak out.

The Head of Marketing and Business Development of New Crystal Hospital – Gidel Kwasi Fiavor urged the students and parents to seek medical care immediately when sexually abused because the act has both physical and emotional effects on the victim.

He stated that New Crystal Hospital would give victims of sexual abuse the necessary free medical and psychological care and support, including, medical examinations, Police medical reports, counseling, and therapy, at all of its hospital branches in Ashaiman, Tema, Michel Camp, Adjei-Kojo, and Takoradi.

He also exhorts those who have experienced sexual abuse to contact the hospital at 0800180260 for support.