# 'Sexual abuse is a crime, not a disciplinary matter,' Catholic women in Ghana state, demanding legal justice · Mercy Herald

> Lay women's council in the Archdiocese of Accra calls for police investigations and an end to internal cover-ups in child abuse cases.

Endereço: https://joinmercy.com/journal/en/sexual-abuse-is-a-crime-not-a-disciplinary-matter-catholic-women-in-ghana-state
Atualizado em: 2026-11-12

[Photo: ACI Africa (aguardando autorização)](https://www.aciafrica.org/news/25285/sexual-abuse-is-a-crime-not-a-disciplinary-matter-catholic-women-in-ghana-demand-accountability)

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The Accra Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women (AACCW) in Ghana has issued a public statement demanding that all allegations of child sexual abuse be immediately referred to law enforcement and civil courts. The declaration was reported on November 11, 2026, by [ACI Africa](https://www.aciafrica.org/news/25285/sexual-abuse-is-a-crime-not-a-disciplinary-matter-catholic-women-in-ghana-demand-accountability) in Accra.

In the council's assessment, addressing this issue requires thorough investigations and the application of standard criminal law, with no room for internal or purely administrative procedures. The women leaders emphasized that “Sexual abuse is a crime; not a disciplinary matter” and stressed that child protection is a national duty rooted in justice and human rights.

Council members called for the prompt and professional investigation of all allegations reported across communities, schools, and homes. They stressed that legal proceedings must be conducted impartially, regardless of the alleged perpetrator’s social standing or institutional position within society or the Church.

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