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Women with Disabilities

About 10–13 percent 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 abuse that lasts longer. 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.

If you're a victim of abuse or violence at the hands of someone you know or love, or you are recovering from an assault by a stranger, you are not alone. Get immediate help and support.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 800-799-SAFE (7233) and 800-787-3224 (TTY). Spanish speakers are available. When you call, you will first hear a recording and may have to hold. Hotline staff offer crisis intervention and referrals. If requested, they connect women to shelters and can send out written information.

The National Sexual Assault Hotline can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 800-656-4673. When you call, you will hear a menu and can choose #1 to talk to a counselor. You will then be connected to a counselor in your area who can help you. You can also visit the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline.

Additional Resources

Publications

Abuse Deserves Special Vigilance — This publication explains why violence is a serious problem for women with disabilities. It provides 4 questions that doctors and nurses can ask if they suspect their patient is being abused.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/women/abuse.htm

Sexual Assault Against People Living with Disabilities — This presentation discusses the main types of disabilities that people generally have that are victims of sexual assault and characteristics of perpetrators of sexual assault against people with disabilities.

http://www2a.cdc.gov/phtn/svprev/Disability.pdf

Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing Outreach (Copyrights © National Domestic Violence Hotline) — This fact sheet is produce by the National Domestic Violence Hotline. It discusses what deaf women can do if they are in an abusive situation.

http://www.ndvh.org/?s=Deaf%2C+Deaf-Blind+and+Hard+of+Hearing+Outreach&x=19&y=12

Victims With Disabilities Face Unique Challenges (Copyright © National Center for Victims of Crime) — This article discusses the unique challenges facing people with disabilities who are stalked or abused. It discusses the prevalence of stalking and abuse among women with disabilities, describes how an abuser might manipulate a person with a disability, and explains why protection from an abuser can be hard to obtain for women with disabilities.

http://www.ncvc.org/src/AGP.Net/Components/DocumentViewer/Download.aspxnz?DocumentID=46631...

Violence Against Women With Disabilities — Prevalence (Copyright © Center for Research on Women with Disabilities) — This fact sheet provides statistics on the prevalence of abuse of women with physical disabilities.

http://www.bcm.edu/crowd/?pmid=1338

Organizations

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Content last updated January 15, 2009.