“We now have a patient and not a criminal”: An Exploratory Study of Judges and Lawyers’ Views on Suicide Attempters and the Law in Ghana.
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2017
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
NCBI
Abstract
This study explored the views of judges and lawyers of the superior courts of Ghana on the law criminalizing attempted suicide. Qualitative data were collected from 12 experienced legal practitioners of the superior courts (five judges and seven lawyers) using a semi-structured interview schedule. Thematic analysis of the data yielded three main perspectives: In defence of the Law, Advocating a Repeal, and Pro-Health Orientation. Although exploratory, the findings of this study offer cues for stepping up suicide literacy and advocacy programmes toward either a repeal of the law or a reform.
Description
Journal Article
Keywords
Ghana, attempted suicide, criminalization, judges, lawyers