Different kinds of abuse 289
Different kinds of abuse
When most people think of abuse, they usually imagine someone being violently
assaulted—hurt, beaten, raped, sexually assaulted, or even killed. While women
with disabilities are vulnerable to physical violence, they are also vulnerable to
other forms of abuse.
For example, women who are dependent on someone assisting them with
their daily care may be shamed; deprived of food, water, or medicine; left so long
that they wet or soil themselves; or not be given the care they need. Some people
may force women to exchange sexual favors for care. Some girls and women with
disabilities are rarely allowed to meet other people or go out of the house. Others
may be left alone, abandoned, or abused in other ways.
A disabled woman may suffer
abuse from someone else who
is also disabled. If a disabled
man feels powerless and angry
because of his disability, he
may act out his anger
by beating his partner
as a way to assert
his power over her.
I think Kang is treating
Enlin badly.
But Kang is
disabled. He
couldn’t hurt
anyone!
A Health Handbook for Women with Disabilities 2007