Sexual Abuse of Girls with Disability: A Case of Four Girls in Addis Ababa
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2006-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The purposes of this study were to undersiand the level of sexual abuse of girls with
disability and it consequences. To achieve these objectives, data were collected from four
sexually abused girls with disability, their respective parents and FGDs with teachers
and related others. In-depth interviews were held with all the respondents using interview
guide. The participants were purposely selected and the data were analyzed qualitatively.
An effort was made to find out about the vulnerability factors, perpetrators, coping
strategies and effects of sexual abuse. The results revealed that girls with disabilities are
victims of abuse because of their vulnerability. Their inability to hear, understand,
communicate, see etc. and challenges resulting from the society and from the
surrounding environment, and absence of sexual education were major factors. Offenders
were found to be a relative, neighbor, unidentified stranger and a person who is known
by the victim took advantages of their vulnerability. Hence, it results in repeated and
severe sexual abuse causing never-ending problems of psychological, behavioral,
physical, educational, social and economical to health factors. As a result, parents and
the society at large are negatively affected.
Finally, providing appropriate sex education in relation to age appropriate and type of
disability, training people in a variety of professions in communicating with and
responding to the special needs of victims with disabilities; creating a safe environment
that allows victims to disclose, a zero tolerance campaigns designed to rise in shifting
awareness, focusing on research that is disability-specific sexual abuse cases,
empowering measures, enhancing assertiveness and confidence of girls actually speaking
up for themselves, organizing rehabilitation and counseling centers recognizing the
special needs of girls, amending inadequate laws and criminalize crimes involving girls
with disability are among the factors that are recommended to prevent sexual abuse.
Description
Keywords
Sexual Abuse of Girls with Disability