Invisible Victims of Sexual Violence : -A Minor Field Study on women and girls with disabilities in Cape Town, South Africa.

Abstract: To live a life protected from exploitation, violence, and abuse is a fundamental human right. However, this seems to be a difficult human right to fulfill, at least for women and girls living with disabilities. This thesis examines the topic of sexual violence against women and girls with disabilities in the townships Langa and Gugulethu, Western Cape Province, South Africa. By addressing the research question: How is the nature, forms, and prevalence of sexual violence experienced and perceived by women and girls with disabilities? The results of the 14 semi-structured interviews that were conducted with staff members from three local NGO’s and eleven relatives to women and girls with physical and intellectual disabilities expose a high prevalence of sexual violence. In this small investigative study, two out of eleven participants had not been subjected to sexual violence, which means that 82% of these girls had been sexually violated at least once in their lifetime and only four had reported their case to the SAPS, which is a total of 64% in this sample. These violations of basic human rights are discussed and analyzed through four themes: attitudes and values, social norms and beliefs, barriers to reporting, and the police and justice system. It is clear that to create a safe and protected environment and end gender-based violence against disabled women and girls a change in the perception that society has on disabled people is needed. Without change from within the society gender-based violence and sexual violence against women and girls with disabilities will continue to grow.