The Interface Between Violence, Disability, and Poverty: Stories From a Developing Country.

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Public Health
• Disability Studies

Background:

• Disability increases vulnerability to multiple forms of violence, including structural, physical, emotional, and sexual exploitation.
• Limited research exists on violence against people with disabilities, particularly within impoverished contexts.
• Traditional studies isolate violence types, hindering understanding of their interconnectedness and societal persistence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the complex relationship between violence, disability, and poverty in rural South Africa.
• To investigate how different forms of violence intersect and impact individuals with disabilities in impoverished settings.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving 30 adults with diverse disabilities across 12 rural villages in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa.
• Employed narrative inquiry and participant observation to capture lived experiences of violence.
• Utilized thematic analysis for in-depth interpretation of collected data.

Main Results:

• Findings reveal an inseparable link between disability and violence within impoverished contexts.
• Structural violence identified as a foundational element, intensifying interpersonal violence and exploitation.
• Persons with disabilities face increased isolation, compromising their health and human rights.

Conclusions:

• Contextual factors, especially poverty, are crucial for understanding the nexus of violence and disability.
• Addressing structural violence is essential to mitigate interpersonal violence and improve outcomes for people with disabilities.
• Integrated approaches are needed to tackle the multifaceted nature of violence affecting vulnerable populations.