CALGARY – Physical abuse, rape and harassment are most often done to disabled women by the caregivers who tend to their most intimate needs.
Not only are the women trapped in their homes, but also by their bodies, preventing them from fleeing from abuse. Disabled women are often portrayed negatively as asexual, second-class people, said Brenda Aries of the Disabled Women’s Network in Calgary.
Aries, who is confined to a wheelchair, spoke at the recent Beijing-Alberta forum where status-of-women issues were reviewed.
“Nine times out of 10, if the person that is taking care of their personal needs is the perpetrator, who then do you disclose that information to?”
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Their disabilities create a series of problems. The first is almost no socialization with other women.
“They’re only beginning to realize common issues exist,” she said.
The medical profession can be patronizing. Over-medication is a serious issue for these women because psychiatrists don’t understand the nature of their lives. They are routinely treated for depression without understanding the roots of their problems.
“Their depression is not caused by a chemical imbalance, but caused by the circumstances they live in and circumstances they are unable to change,” said Aries.
If they have a developmental disability, no one may believe their complaints of abuse.
They are taught early in life to be grateful for whatever care they receive and, as disabled persons, much of society doesn’t believe anyone would touch them sexually because they are perceived as unattractive.
It is only in recent times that they’ve had the courage to speak out and validate each other’s experiences of abuse and harassment. Self-help groups are emerging to help people in these circumstances and teach them to fight back, said Aries.
