Profiling abuse and neglect of women with disabilities: a step towards prevention of mistreatment of vulnerable populations

Women with disabilities are at increased risk of violence and neglect, and the physical and psychological barriers to seeking help often lead to prolonged periods of abuse. In addition to being a leading cause of acute injuries and numerous chronic diseases, exposure to violence also negatively affects mental health. In this cross-sectional quantitative data analysis on experiences of violence among women with physical disabilities resulting from cerebral palsy (CP), multiple sclerosis (MS), traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke and arthritis, a high prevalence of abuse and neglect can be confirmed. These groups were also compared with women who have visual- and hearing impairment. We could observe that type of mistreatment, perpetrators and required personal assistance differ between disability groups. Interestingly, the highest frequency of abuse was observed among women with hearing impairment, including number of ongoing incidences at the time of response. Moreover, denial of help with basic needs or prevented use of assistive devices was again more commonly associated with hearing impairment but also with MS. Since it has been shown that hearing impairment is related to the risk for cognitive decline and one of the greatest risks for dementia, it is tempting to speculate that cognitive impairment may not only enhance but pose a higher risk factor for abuse than physical disability itself, hence calling for further research and more targeted interventions to prevent violence and support victims among women with disabilities.