Physical abuse

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HealthWiki > A Health Handbook for Women with Disabilities > Chapter 14: Abuse, violence, and self-defense > Physical abuse

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In this chapter:

 

In this chapter:

Physical abuse includes being beaten, pushed down, pinched, slapped, or hit. Sometimes people threaten a disabled woman’s children. She may be even more afraid because she feels she cannot protect her children from violence.

Women with disabilities can be physically abused and treated roughly in many different ways and places: in clinics, schools, residential homes, at their workplace, on public transportation, or even at home.

In addition to beatings and assault, a disabled woman is being physically abused when:

someone deliberately breaks equipment she uses, such as her hearing aid, or her crutches.	someone deliberately moves a blind woman’s furniture to make it harder for her to get around.
she is forced to be naked in front of strangers during an exam in a public clinic or hospital.
	Health workers can prevent this kind of situation by covering her body as much as possible with her own clothes or a sheet. Or they can examine her in a private room, if one is available.

This page was updated:30 Nov 2023