ABSTRACT
This chapter presents an overview of sexual abuse, and in what way these issues affect people with disabilities disproportionately compared to the general population. It also presents an overview of empirical evidence on the prevalence of sexual abuse as it affects people with disabilities, as well as the consequences of abuse for the victim. The chapter discusses how people with disabilities are often described as vulnerable. Similarly, a study from South Africa did not find that adolescents with disabilities were at increased risk for sexual abuse compared to their abled-bodied peers. The rape of women with disabilities may also be fuelled by cultural myths. A myth of 'virgin cleansing' has been found in several parts of the world. Consequences of abuse reported by victims of abuse in several studies are increased stress levels, sadness, feelings of hopelessness, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, poor bowel and bladder control, poor nutrition, poor skin, exacerbated impairment, distrust of others, social isolation and substance abuse.
