According to Sexual Assault Center London, people with disabilities are 150% more at risk for sexual assault. In addition, four out of five women have experienced sexual violence at some point in their lives.
“I think it’s really important people know that because it’s quite a vulnerable population, they are easily targeted, because people either won’t believe them or they can’t articulate what has happened to them.” says Amanda Wilcox, a volunteer with the center.
SACL offers many services for anyone who has experienced sexual violence, including counselling, a crisis hotline and a group therapy. “We have one group, Coming Back to Me, and it’s about coming back to your body and accepting your body and going forward if you’re going to be intimate.”
Wilcox adds that consent is key for any relationship. “I think it’s important if all people, able bodied and disabled people to make that choice for themselves, what they are comfortable with and what they are not.”
Photo courtesy of Sexual Assault Center London’s website
