Addressing Sexual Violence Against Persons with Disabilities in Belgium

Abstract

Highlights: What are the main findings? Persons with disabilities (PwDs) in Belgium report a significantly higher lifetime prevalence of hands-on sexual violence (SV) compared to people without disabilities. PwDs experience poorer mental health and face greater structural vulnerabilities, including more financial difficulties, lower educational attainment, and lower participation in the remunerated workforce. What are the implications of the main findings? The elevated rates of SV among PwDs are linked more to structural vulnerabilities, such as dependency, financial insecurity, and ableism, than to disability alone. Prevention and care responses should focus on inclusive, accessible, and tailored interventions addressing social inequality and ableism to break cycles of victimization and revictimization. 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.