International Day: End the Silence on Violence Against Persons with Disabilities

On the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3), we must highlight the urgent need to address the violence faced by individuals with disabilities.

The term "intersectionality" is crucial in understanding how various identities—such as gender, race, immigration status, sexual orientation, and disability—interact to exacerbate discrimination and victimization. The United Nations urges the application of this lens when addressing issues like gender-based violence.

While there is a commendable campaign at the national level to combat gender-based violence, the violence faced by women and girls with disabilities remains largely ignored, treated as a taboo. However, evidence shows that violence against people with disabilities is prevalent across societies.

For instance, a 2012 report from the United States Bureau of Justice indicated that the rate of violence against men with disabilities was 42 per 1,000, compared to 22 per 1,000 for men without disabilities. For women with disabilities, the figures were 53 per 1,000 versus 17 per 1,000 for women without disabilities. Institutional settings are particularly hazardous, with individuals subjected to abuses such as forced medication and denial of health rights.

Research by Sullivan (2000) found that children with disabilities are more than twice as likely to suffer physical and sexual violence. Rousso (2003) noted that girls with disabilities are at high risk for abuse, leading to health complications, trauma, and increased vulnerability to diseases like HIV/AIDS. Certain groups, including those with speech impairments and developmental disabilities, face even greater risks of sexual violence compared to their non-disabled peers.

A 2005 South African study by Naidu and colleagues categorized the abuse of people with disabilities into active and passive violence. Active violence includes physical, emotional, sexual, verbal, and financial abuse, while passive violence encompasses neglect and discriminatory actions that lead to harm.

Most perpetrators are known to the victims—19% are family members, and 44% are regular service providers or caregivers who exploit the vulnerabilities of those they assist.

The low reporting rates of such violence can be attributed to victims' lack of awareness of their rights, communication barriers, and fear of repercussions from caregivers. Additionally, professionals such as police and legal personnel often lack training in addressing the needs of victims with disabilities.

In Mauritius, the absence of studies on this issue does not imply its nonexistence; rather, it remains hidden and unaddressed. It is imperative to break the silence surrounding this taboo and bring these issues to light.