Factors Contributing to Sexual Abuse of Persons with Disabilities in East Africa
New Applied Research Project
concerning
Sexual Abuse of
Persons with Disabilities
An Assessment of the Social, Cultural and Institutional
Factors that Contribute to the Sexual Abuse of
Persons with Disabilities in East Africa.
www.advantageafrica.org
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The
motivation
for our research
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What
should
happen in a case of abuse
sexual attack on
a person with a
disability
happens
a proper criminal
investigation is
initiated
victim receives
counselling and
good medical
services
proper
immediate
action is
taken
victim
seeks
help
evidence is
collected and
witnesses
cooperate
The survivor feels that they
have been supported by the
service providers and that
justice has been done
a fair trial
in court
takes place
perpetrator
is arrested
The
Perpetrators
(why they abuse)
What
actually
happens in a case of abuse
sexual attack on
a person with a
disability
happens
a proper criminal
investigation is
initiated
victim receives
counselling and
good medical
services
proper
immediate
action is
taken
victim
seeks
help
evidence is
collected and
witnesses
cooperate
The survivor feels that they
have been supported by the
service providers and that
justice has been done
a fair trial
in court
takes place
perpetrator
is arrested
victim
Doesn’t
report
The
Survivor
(barriers to disclosure)
What
actually
happens in a case of abuse
sexual attack on
a person with a
disability
happens
a proper criminal
investigation is
initiated
victim receives
counselling and
good medical
services
proper
immediate
action is
taken
victim
seeks
help
evidence is
collected and
witnesses
cooperate
The survivor feels that they
have been supported by the
service providers and that
justice has been done
a fair trial
in court
takes place
perpetrator
is arrested
victim
Doesn’t
report
The survivor receives no
services & justice has
NOT
been done
What
actually
happens in a case of abuse
sexual attack on
a person with a
disability
happens
a proper criminal
investigation is
initiated
victim receives
counselling and
good medical
services
immediate
action is
taken
victim
seeks
help
evidence is
collected and
witnesses
cooperate
The survivor feels that they
have been supported by the
service providers and that
justice has been done
a fair trial
in court
takes place
perpetrator
is arrested
The attack is
reported to
family and
village elders
The
Community
(barriers to disclosure)
What
actually
happen in a case of abuse
sexual attack on
a person with a
disability
happens
A local resolution
is arranged
victim
seeks
help
The survivor’s needs
are ignored s/he feels
that justice has
NOT
been done
The attack is
reported to
family and
village elders
What
interventions
are necessary
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information
suitable for
different audiences
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Thank you
What the
Literature
Says
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This research project assesses the social, cultural, and institutional factors influencing sexual abuse of persons with disabilities in East Africa. It explores motivations, actions in abuse cases, perpetrator beliefs, and barriers to disclosure.
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New Applied Research Project concerning Sexual Abuse of Persons with Disabilities An Assessment of the Social, Cultural and Institutional Factors that Contribute to the Sexual Abuse of Persons with Disabilities in East Africa. www.advantageafrica.org Rob Aley, Agnes Musembi, Fazira Kawuma, David Kariuki, Eziekiel Jengo, Mary Wickenden, Elijah Musenyente
The motivation for our research Our numerous experiences in the community of trying to assist survivors of abuse. Frustrations with accessing support for survivors of sexual abuse, and failing to get justice
What should happen in a case of abuse sexual attack on a person with a disability happens proper immediate action is taken victim receives counselling and good medical services victim seeks help The survivor feels that they have been supported by the service providers and that justice has been done a proper criminal investigation is initiated evidence is collected and witnesses cooperate a fair trial in court takes place perpetrator is arrested
The Perpetrators (why they abuse) If I get caught I ll intimidate them or bribe my way out Nobody wants her, she will probably enjoy it belief that disabled people cannot choose their own relationships belief that law enforcement is ineffective No one will believe a mentally disabled girl targets disabled victims are seen as easy It s a man s right to have sex. This will show everyone I m a real man peer pressure patriarchal society & mistaken beliefs & myths about disability disabled people are virgins, I can cleanse myself of HIV
What actually happens in a case of abuse sexual attack on a person with a disability happens proper immediate action is taken victim receives counselling and good medical services victim Doesn t report victim seeks help The survivor feels that they have been supported by the service providers and that justice has been done a proper criminal investigation is initiated evidence is collected and witnesses cooperate a fair trial in court takes place perpetrator is arrested
The Survivor (barriers to disclosure) My He said he would kill me if I told anyone not believed / valued disability means people don t believe me threats My disability means I find it hard to communicate Communication not facilitated I m so ashamed, was it my fault? shame or misplaced guilt If I report to authorities they will want money fear of demands for money
What actually happens in a case of abuse sexual attack on a person with a disability happens proper immediate action is taken victim receives counselling and good medical services victim Doesn t report victim seeks help The survivor feels that they have been supported by the service providers and that justice has been done The survivor receives no services & justice has NOT been done a proper criminal investigation is initiated evidence is collected and witnesses cooperate a fair trial in court takes place perpetrator is arrested
What actually happens in a case of abuse sexual attack on a person with a disability happens The attack is reported to family and victim receives counselling and good medical services victim seeks help immediate action is taken village elders The survivor feels that they have been supported by the service providers and that justice has been done a proper criminal investigation is initiated evidence is collected and witnesses cooperate a fair trial in court takes place perpetrator is arrested
The Community (barriers to disclosure) Give the victim s father a goat and the family will soon get over it Let us arrange a marriage between the perpetrator and victim inappropriate resolutions petty compensation local courts mistakenly deal I m not sure of the law in this matter with criminal matters The fear of jeopardising their own perpetrator is a powerful man, let us just forget it positions This will shame the whole community & the family want to stay silent fear of community shame
What actually happen in a case of abuse sexual attack on a person with a disability happens The attack is reported to family and village elders victim seeks help The survivor s needs are ignored s/he feels that justice has NOT been done A local resolution is arranged
What interventions are necessary Provide information suitable for different audiences Increase people s awareness of sexual & disability rights Mass audiences - the general public Potential perpetrators Potential victims Potential support and service providers Specific audiences Persons with disabilities and their families Community leaders & community groups (inc DPOs) Schools/Higher Education Government administration Healthcare professionals Police Teachers etc ..etc .
What the Literature Says Cultural beliefs In East Africa lower the perceived moral threshold around sexual abuse of persons with disabilities Disabled victims of abuse can be female or male, adults or children Professionals in education, health, the police and judicial services are often poorly equipped to provide support and welfare facilities Perpetrators are often people familiar to the victim such as family members, teachers and other carers. Persons with disabilities can also be perpetrators.
