5 Signs You’re Being Sexually Harassed – and How to Handle It

Sexual harassment rarely announces itself with fanfare. It often begins with a “harmless” joke, an unsolicited compliment, or a lingering stare that leaves you uneasy. In Ghana, any unwanted sexual behaviour that causes distress, fear, offence, or humiliation constitutes harassment, regardless of the perpetrator’s intent or the victim’s gender.

It is not banter, not flattery, and certainly not your fault. This violation can occur anywhere: the office, lecture hall, church pew, family gathering, or even your social media feed. Too many victims suffer in silence, cowed by shame, threats, or fear of reprisal. Recognising the signs is your first line of defence and the first step towards reclaiming your dignity.

Here are five (5) clear indicators that you are being sexually harassed:

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1. Unwanted Sexual Jokes and Comments

Repeated remarks about your body, appearance, or sex life, even after you have expressed discomfort, cross the line. A “joke” about your figure or a lewd innuendo is not harmless if it makes you uneasy. Politely but firmly object; if it persists, document and report.

2. Inappropriate Touching

Any non-consensual physical contact, such as a hug that lingers too long, a hand on your lower back, or an uninvited kiss, qualifies as harassment. Your body, your boundaries. Even “friendly” gestures require explicit consent.

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3. Persistent Flirting or Advances

Unsolicited romantic messages, explicit images, or relentless pursuit after rejection all signal harassment. Declining a date does not grant licence for continued pressure. Save screenshots as evidence.

4. Sexual Favours in Exchange for Benefits

A lecturer promising better grades, a boss hinting at promotion, or a colleague offering “help” in return for sexual acts constitutes quid pro quo harassment, which is illegal under Ghanaian law even if you initially appear willing. Coercion invalidates consent.

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5. Online Sexual Harassment

Lewd comments beneath your photos, unsolicited explicit images in your direct messages, or pornographic content shared to intimidate are all forms of digital harassment. Cyber-harassment is real, prosecutable, and deeply damaging.

What You Can Do If It Happens to You

Silence protects the perpetrator, not you. Speak up safely and strategically:

• Confront if safe: Calmly state, “That comment makes me uncomfortable. Please stop.”

• Document everything: Dates, times, messages, and witnesses.

• Report internally: Use your workplace HR policy, school counsellor, or church leadership. Under the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651, Section 175), employers must investigate.

• Escalate externally: File a report with the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), the police (for physical acts under the Criminal Offences Act, Section 103), or the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU).

• Online: Block, report, and preserve evidence. Ghana’s Cybersecurity Act, 2020, covers digital offences.

• Seek support: Confide in a trusted friend, mentor, or counsellor. CHRAJ and NGOs such as the Ark Foundation offer free guidance.

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Conclusion

In Ghana, sexual harassment is not a grey area; it is unlawful. The 1992 Constitution (Articles 17 and 24) prohibits sex-based discrimination and mandates safe working conditions. Physical violations fall under the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29, as amended), with indecent assault punishable by six (6) months to two (2) years’ imprisonment, and rape or defilement attracting between five (5) and twenty-five (25) years.

Workplace harassment is explicitly defined and prohibited by the Labour Act, 2003 (Section 175), with employers liable for inaction. Victims may seek redress through CHRAJ, labour tribunals, or the courts, supported by Ghana’s ratification of ILO Convention 190 on violence and harassment at work.

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You deserve to feel safe, valued, and respected everywhere. Recognise the signs, document the evidence, and speak up. One voice can protect many.