Sexual abuse cases in film industry go unreported due to fear of public criticisms  – Vicky Zugah

In a brave revelation, renowned Ghanaian actress, Victoria Zugah, otherwise known as Vicky Zugah  has brought attention to the alarming issue of unreported sexual abuse cases within the film industry.

Vicky, while speaking with  Kwame Dadzie on Joy FM’s Showbiz A-Z highlighted the pervasive culture of silence that persists due to fear of public criticism. She emphasized that the fear of public backlash and skepticism often deters victims, most especially women from coming forward and reporting incidents of sexual abuse.

The screen goddess further averred that although the public would generally encourage people to tell their stories, especially in cases when people are asked for sex in exchange for roles, they cannot guarantee the response that will follow nor are they assured of support.

“When you name and shame them they tell you and you’re messing up with people who are married. These are people who have moved on and are married, are in relationships and you are naming them and this is in the past you should move on yourself and get a life.

”They say you are bitter because you’re still single, that’s why you’re naming them. You see, so you can’t, you just don’t know what to do with people. You can’t please anybody,” she said.

Vicky Zugah went on to opine that other victims of sexual harassment also cannot risk being blacklisted or having their experience used against them in the future.

“In this part of the world when you’re this vocal they think that you’re not wife material. So, if you’re a woman who is hoping to get married one day or who is aspiring to be maybe a politician, or any other figure, then you don’t need to say these things on air or expose yourself like this because you will be blacklisted,” she emphasized.

Despite these adversities, the celebrated actress encouraged actors who face such situations to tell their stories, naming and shaming perpetrators if they want to. She, however, added that victims who feel a confession will not bring them peace and wish to put the past behind them should do so.