2.5.8 Survivors with Disabilities

People with a disability or disabilities may have difficulty moving, speaking, seeing or hearing, or they may have intellectual differences that affect understanding.

A disability may be very visible or not visible at all.

It’s important to remember that no two people are alike. That means no two people with different disabilities are alike, and no two people with the same disability are alike.

We can’t simply say, ‘disabled survivors need this or want that’.

If we want to know what a disabled survivor needs, we must ask them directly.

Disabled survivors may or may not lack resources or support systems, be isolated, or be able to communicate in a traditional manner.

There are many ways people can be affected, both by sexual assault and by disability, and these can change over time.

To be an effective advocate, you must learn from the survivor.

Listen to what they need, and do not make assumptions.