Violence Against Persons with Disabilities: Situation, Rights, and Protection Challenges of Children and Women with Disabilities
Keywords:
Persons with Disabilities, Violence Against Persons with Disabilities, IntersectionalityAbstract
Violence against persons with disabilities represents a critical challenge that significantly affects their quality of life. Persons with disabilities—especially women and children—are at a higher risk of experiencing various forms of violence compared to those without disabilities. Such violence most frequently occurs within families or is perpetrated by individuals in caregiving or authoritative roles. Structural and attitudinal barriers, such as discrimination and a lack of knowledge about available services, often hinder persons with disabilities from accessing their rights and essential support systems. The consequences of violence can lead to both physical and psychological health issues, and in some cases, may result in the onset of new or aggravated impairments. The intersectionality of identities further intensifies individuals' vulnerability to violence. Efforts to address this issue remain fragmented and lack comprehensive integration. Existing studies are often outdated or inadequate in capturing the current complexity of the situation, and available data on violence against persons with disabilities is insufficient and underreported. This gap has contributed to a lack of effective, evidence-based interventions. The objective of this academic article is to examine the situation of violence against persons with disabilities, with a particular focus on women and children with disabilities, and to provide recommendations for their protection and prevention of violence. Key recommendations include the reforming relevant laws and policies, developing a national database on cases of violence against persons with disabilities, developing operational guidelines for protection services, training multi-disciplinary teams to respond effectively to cases, and promoting research focused on violence prevention and protection of persons with disabilities.
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