Epidemiology of Violence Among People with Disabilities in Senegal

Introduction: People with disabilities are disproportionately exposed to violence, often resulting in significant physical and psychological harm. This study examines the prevalence and determinants of violence among persons with disabilities aged 15–69 years in Senegal in 2023, focusing on physical, verbal, and sexual violence. Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional descriptive study with an analytical component was conducted from February 9 to March 10, 2023, after approval by the National Ethics Committee for Health Research of Senegal. A total of 1,442 individuals with disabilities were surveyed using standardized tools. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with different forms of violence. Results: The most prevalent forms of violence were verbal abuse (42.9%), stigmatization (31.6%), and physical assault (20.3%), while sexual violence was reported by 4.3% of participants. Age was a protective factor, with each additional year reducing the risk of experiencing violence. Women were significantly more likely to report sexual violence. Compared with individuals with regular income, those without income were less exposed to verbal and physical violence, while irregular income reduced the risk of physical violence. Early onset of disability (at birth or during childhood/adolescence) increased vulnerability to verbal and physical abuse, while onset during childhood/adolescence also heightened the risk of sexual violence. Membership in disability organizations and food insecurity were associated with higher risks of verbal and physical violence, whereas drug use was strongly linked to physical violence. Conclusion: This study highlights the high prevalence of violence against people with disabilities in Senegal and identifies key sociodemographic and behavioral risk factors. Addressing these determinants is essential to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 by strengthening health system responses and promoting inclusive protection policies.