One in two women with disabilities are victims of gender-based violence, including sexual abuse, according to a national study, leading researchers to argue that sex education is ‘absolutely necessary’ view shared by those with disabilities.
The data are part of the report ‘Monitoring the Human Rights of People with Disabilities in Portugal’ ‘of the Centre for Disability and Human Rights (ODDH), which was based on 60 interviews with people with disabilities, aged between 12 and 70 years.
One of the report’s authors said Lusa that were interviewed 31 women and girls with disabilities, aged from 12 years.
“We collect 16 cases of incidence of violence among these 31 women, which seems very high indeed and in fact denotes a phenomenon of gender violence also occur in the population with disabilities, “noted Paula Campos Pinto.
According to the researcher in question are cases of physical, psychological and sexual abuse, as well as’ anything that might cause damage and suffering “to the victim.
The study did not discriminate numbers for each type of violence but Paula Campos Pinto said that, during the investigation, found several cases of sexual abuse occurring within the family or with partners, “or even among brothers.”
“The fact that women and girls with disabilities have less access to education, training, the fact that they have less access to existing social support, all this causes greater vulnerability in women, leaving them most vulnerable to these acts of violence, “explained the researcher.
An even more vulnerable when talking about women with intellectual disabilities, as have the most difficulty recognizing acts of violence and “distinguish between what is, in sexual terms, an act that is consented and another that is abusive ‘.
On the other hand, pointed out, are more vulnerable’ also the difficulty that sometimes have to access support, justice, be heard and be believed in his testimonies, in their complaints. “
The researcher has no doubt that the study sample reflects a larger reality, since it is a little known phenomenon, arguing that “there is a serious problem” and is “absolutely essential” that people with disabilities have access to sex education.
The view is shared by Jacinto Nunes, wearer of Cooperative Education and Rehabilitation of Citizens with Disabilities (CERCI) Oeiras, for those people with disabilities should have access an inclusive sex education.
In an interview with Lusa, argued that ‘people with disabilities have the right to love, “but that” it is very complicated’, requiring, therefore, that there is a law that enable people with disabilities to marry or have children.
“Sex is not the same for everyone, because people with disabilities are more reserved and have more difficulties in having sex. He liked that disabled people have a house where they could have sex ‘, defended Jacinto Nunes.
The sexuality of people with disabilities is still a taboo subject, but Paula Campos Pinto recalls that the prejudice and stigma only exacerbate the vulnerability.
“Sex education seems to me absolutely necessary, but we as a society avoided this because the subject is still taboo, but we must overcome it quickly,” he argued.
December 3 marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Digital Diary with Lusa
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