Addressing Sexual Violence Against Persons with Disabilities in Belgium.

Background/

Objectives

This study examined the specific vulnerabilities and experiences of persons with disabilities (PwDs) regarding sexual violence (SV) in Belgium.

Methods

Data were drawn from the nationally representative UN-MENAMAIS survey (n = 4944), which included adults aged 16-99 years. SV was assessed using behaviourally specific questions based on validated international instruments. Logistic regression analyses examined associations between SV, disability status, sociodemographic, and mental health indicators.

Results

PwDs reported a significantly higher lifetime prevalence of hands-on SV (37.8%) compared with those without disabilities (29.4%; p < 0.001, V = 0.065). PwDs also reported lower quality of life (p < 0.001, V = 0.273), and higher rates of depression (p < 0.001, V = 0.214), anxiety (p < 0.001, V = 0.145), PTSD (p < 0.001, V = 0.101), sedative use (p < 0.001, V = 0.237), and suicide attempts (p < 0.001, V = 0.124), though they reported less hazardous alcohol use (p < 0.001, V = 0.103) and cannabis use (p < 0.001, V = 0.080). Regression analyses showed that individuals assigned female at birth (p < 0.001) and those identifying as LGB+ (p < 0.001) were at a higher risk of both hands-off and hands-on SV. Among mental health correlates, depression, anxiety, PTSD, substance use, self-harm, and suicide attempts were significantly (all p < 0.001) associated with increased odds of SV.

Conclusions

The findings highlight the need for targeted, inclusive prevention and support strategies addressing structural inequalities, ableism, and barriers to care to effectively prevent SV and revictimization among PwDs.