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Research has shown that women
with disabilities have a higher risk for emotional, physical, and sexual
abuse than do women without disabilities. Along with common types of abuse
such as verbal abuse or rape, women with disabilities can also face
disability-related abuse, such as withholding of wheelchairs or refusal to
help with personal tasks. Research also shows that women with disabilities
who have been abused are more likely to be abused longer and by multiple
people than women who do not have disabilities.
About 10 -13% of women with
disabilities report having experienced abuse, a rate similar to that of
women without disabilities. Yet, according to the Center for Research on
Women with Disabilities at Baylor College of Medicine, women with
disabilities report more intense abuse, a larger number of abusers, more
incidents of abuse, and longer length of abuse. For all women, the abuser is
often a partner or family member, but women with disabilities are more
likely to be abused by health care providers or caretakers.
Women with disabilities face the same types of physical and verbal abuse
reported by all women. But they also are subject to unique forms of abuse.
Caretakers can withhold medicine and assistive devices, such as wheelchairs
or braces. They can also refuse to help with daily needs like bathing,
dressing, or eating.
If you're being abused by someone you rely on for help with daily living,
you may feel trapped. If you can, reach out to someone close to you, such as
a family member, a caretaker, a good friend, or a neighbor and ask for help.
To get immediate help and
support:
call theNational
Domestic Violence Hotline
at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
or the
National Sexual Assault Hotline
at 1-800-656-4673. |
