The Experiences of Sexually Abused Women with Disabilities Who Consulted Services in Zimbabwe: The Intersection of Disability, Gender, and Poverty

Women have experienced sexual abuse, and very few of them report to the police or seek other services, such as medical attention. This study aims to gain insight into the barriers women with disabilities face when accessing police, health, and counselling services after experiencing sexual abuse. Barriers such as long distances, physical barriers at service sites, communication barriers, gender issues, lack of confidence in the service providers, and an overall lack of resources were reported. In a study undertaken in Zimbabwe, women with disabilities encountered intersecting barriers such as the intersection of disability, and gender, poverty, unemployment, and low levels of education aggravated structural and social impediments for women with disabilities when seeking services after sexual abuse.