Influence of counselling on the reintegration of rescued trafficked children

Abstract

This study examined the influence of counselling on behavioural change of rescued trafficked children at Kokrobite and Bortianor in the Greater Accra Region. The purpose was to determine the extent to which counselling influenced the reintegration of rescued trafficked children into society. Questionnaires were administered to a cross-section of rescued trafficked children (n=200) in some selected communities in Kokrobite, Bortianor and Oshiyie. It was found that trafficked children who went through counselling were reintegrated more easily the society than those who did not. A chisquare test was performed to examine the relationship between counselling and the ability to reintegrate into society after being trafficked for different types of child labour jobs. The relation between these variables was significant, χ2 (1, N = 200) = 5.4, p = .012. It is recommended that there must be an increase in educational campaigns on child trafficking and its ills in our society. Additionally, policymakers must make a conscious effort to allow more training for counsellors and strengthen the social welfare programme in all districts. The law enforcement agencies and institutions that are responsible for implementing the various provisions of the Children’s Act and the Human Trafficking Act should be adequately resourced and empowered to carry out their mandate effectively in order to address this serious issue.