“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
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Date
2018
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology
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
Research Article
Keywords
criminalization, attempted suicide, judges, lawyers, Ghana