Disability Pride: Did you know?
Disability Pride: Did you know?
Disabled people face significantly higher rates of abuse across all areas of life. In the UK, disabled adults are more likely to be victims of crime, domestic violence, hate crimes, and online harassment compared to non-disabled individuals. For example, around 17–19% of disabled women and 9% of disabled men report domestic abuse, nearly double the rate for non-disabled people. Disabled children and teens are also at much greater risk—up to four to five times more likely to experience sexual abuse than their non-disabled peers. Hate crimes are common: 61% of disabled people report being targeted in the past five years, but only around 1% of these incidents are prosecuted.
Online, 29% of disabled people report bullying or trolling, with younger disabled adults particularly affected. Sexual harassment, especially in public spaces, is also much more prevalent among disabled women. Many abuse cases go unreported—up to 80–90%—often because the abuser is a caregiver, partner, or family member. This makes it harder for victims to seek help, and many endure abuse for longer periods than non-disabled people before speaking out.
The statistics reveal a widespread and deeply rooted problem that is both underreported and under-prosecuted. There’s an urgent need for stronger legal protections, more accessible support services, and greater societal awareness to challenge the systemic ableism that enables this abuse to continue.
---
🔹 Domestic Abuse & Crime (UK ‑ ONS)
Crime Survey for England & Wales (CSEW, year ending Mar 2024): Shows significantly higher domestic abuse prevalence among disabled adults (CSEW provides the raw datasets/charts for disability vs non‑disability comparisons).
ONS Disability & Crime bulletin (year ending Mar 2019): Highlights that 17.3% of disabled women and 9.0% of disabled men (aged 16–59) experienced domestic abuse, compared with 7.0% and 3.7% for non‑disabled peers, respectively. Also includes 14.1% vs 5.4% (all disabled vs non‑disabled adults) data.
---
🔹 Online Harassment (UK ‑ Scope)
Scope & Opinium report (Aug 2023): Based on a survey of 2,912 disabled people, it reveals 29% experienced online trolling/bullying; over 50% observed negative comments; 47% of 18–34 year‑olds were targeted.
---
🔹 Sexual Violence & Assault (US & broader contexts)
Academic study (J Kinney et al, via PubMed): Presents U.S. intimate partner violence rates for women with disabilities: 0.6% rape, 4.0% physical violence, etc.
NSAC toolkit (West Virginia): Shows sexual victimization among people with disabilities at 14%, vs 9.6% for non‑disabled, plus extreme under‑reporting.
---
🔹 Online Hate Crime (UK)
Guardian report (May 2019): Documents a 33% rise in online hate crimes against disabled people (from 235 to 313 incidents registered) and references surveys on broader abuse patterns.
Sarah Wingfield
Independent Disability Advocate
#abuse #ableism #disabilityawareness #disabilityinclusion #DisabilityPrideMonth
Alt text:
Bold white text on a bright pink background reads: "Disabled people are not invalid." The message challenges outdated, ableist language and affirms the value and humanity of disabled people.
