288 Chapter 14: Abuse, violence, and self-defense
Abuse and violence against any woman is never OK. Because disabled women
often get little respect, they are sometimes seen as not worth protecting. This
teaches people that abuse against disabled women is not a problem and that there
is no need to respect their rights.
Harmful idea:
Disabled girls
are lucky to have
someone care for
them—even if they
have to bear some
abuse.
The truth: A disabled girl has a right
to be cared for just as other girls. No
one is ‘lucky’ to experience abuse.
Harmful idea:
It doesn’t matter if you
abuse a disabled woman.
Women with disabilities
are stupid and are not
worth listening to.
The truth: It is never OK to abuse a
disabled woman. No one should ever be
abused—especially a woman who has
trouble learning. Abuse in any form—
whether it is neglect, emotional abuse,
not giving care, not allowing her to go to
school, making decisions for a woman
without consulting her, physical abuse or
sexual violence—must be stopped.
A Health Handbook for Women with Disabilities 2007