A criminologist, Dr. Jones Opoku-Ware, has urged parents and guardians to promptly report cases of sexual abuse to the police to help protect victims and deter perpetrators.

His call follows the circulation of a video in which a 24-year-old man allegedly confesses to sexually abusing an 8-year-old boy.

Another video showed the mother of the child confronting the alleged suspect after learning about the incident. The woman was seen warning him and holding him responsible should there be any recurrence.

Dr. Opoku-Ware, however, stressed that confronting alleged perpetrators privately is not enough, urging parents and guardians to report such cases to the appropriate authorities.

He said reporting sexual abuse is crucial to ensuring that perpetrators are investigated and, where found culpable, brought to justice.

The criminologist warned that failing to report such incidents could embolden perpetrators and expose other children to similar abuse.

He therefore appealed to parents and guardians to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children by promptly reporting suspected cases of sexual abuse to the police.

Meanwhile, sociologist Justice Siaw has also urged the public to report cases of sexual abuse, cautioning that silence could leave victims more vulnerable and allow perpetrators to continue preying on others.

He said collective action and timely reporting are essential to protecting children and ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable.