Sexual Abuse of Women with Disabilities

Keeping up with the spirit of April in bringing Sexual Assault Awareness, that happens against women....

Women with disabilities are diverse in age, race-ethnicity, class, gender identity, and sexuality. There are many elements of condition which are considered to be a disability. Mental illness, chronic diseases, sensory and cognitive impairments, plus physical injuries. Each present different risks and forms of abuse these women face.

Sadly, women with disabilities are too often forgotten an excluded in research and by activists when fighting to stop sexual abuse against women. Yet, they face a greater risk in comparison to those without.

A great number of women with disabilities live independently. They rely on personal caregivers, but not limited too. If they are wheelchair bound, bedridden or blind this really presents a different set of challenges and problems. Fear for one, it's unlike in kind or characteristics for the women without disabilities, who can find the strength or means to escape their abuser.

For the women who suffer with a mental illness, their disease may not render them the capabilities to be high functioning. Often times, and more than not, these women are assigned case managers. However, most case managers are overloaded with case files and clients. It's even more sadder to state, the complaints which are lodged are often blown off. 'Is this the mental illness speaking?' They're unable to communicate in what some therapists etc. would call rational thought or complete sentences. If they've been known to hallucinate or hear voices, then their reports of abuse are unfortunately questioned.

And, we can't forget about societies belief that women with disabilities aren't attractive nor considered sexual human beings. Not remembering, that sexual abuse towards women is about power and control. And, more importantly sexual abuse is plain ol' violence. So not only are they sexually abused, but they are emotionally, mentally, psychologically and physically abused.

Regardless of what type of disability a woman has she still endures the same pain and suffering as those without. It's trauma to their spirit, their heart and their soul.

So, Let's stand up and become their Voice!

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Sexual Assault Awareness Month, is?
Since 2001, April has been recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), a time for individuals, schools, organizations, and agencies across the country to collectively raise awareness of sexual assault issues.

The Official Color of SAAM.
In 2001, all the United States and territories were surveyed, based on their responses teal became the official color representing sexual violence awareness and prevention.

The Slogan.
"Prevent Sexual Violence...in our communities."

How It Began?
Reclaim The Night, the women of Belgium attending the International Tribunal on Crimes Against Women. They marched together holding candles in protest against worldwide violence against women.

Take Back The Night Marches, 1977 the women in England began protesting against the crimes happening to them day and night on the very streets in the communities which they lived. The first known organized Take Back The Night march in the United States took place in 1978 in San Francisco California. Whereby, the women marched through the red light district in protest of rape and pornography. A natural progression of organized movement continued. Take Back The Nights started to protest the sexual violence towards children and men.

During the 1980's the National Coalition Against Sexual Assault was established and by the late 1980's worked with state sexual assault coalitions to designate a national Sexual Assault Week. It was decided for the month of April. In the 1990's, April was the month advocates an other alliances began nationally contributing to the growth of sexual violence awareness.

From 2000 to 2001, the Resource Sharing Project (RSP) and the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), polled state, territory, and tribal coalitions. The color teal was the preferred color and April was the preferred month for national sexual assault awareness.

Thus, giving birth to Sexual Assault Awareness Month.