Repeated sexual assault among people with disabilities: A comparative analysis by disability type

Sexual violence disproportionately affects people with disabilities. Repeated sexual assault, a core marker of system failure, is an understudied topic in disability research. The current study quantified inequalities in sexual revictimization between people with and without disabilities and between disability types. We linked Taiwan's 2019-2022 National Sexual Assault Database with the National Disability Registry to compare revictimization by disability status and type and to identify correlates. Negative binomial models yielded incidence rate ratios (IRRs) with adjustment for age, sex, place of residence, income, perpetrator relationship, and follow-up time. Among 30,124 individuals with sexual assault experience, 3116 (10.3 %) experienced multiple assaults; 22.8 % of these experienced 3 or more assaults. People with disabilities were more likely to experience multiple assaults than were people without disabilities (IRR = 2.42, P < .001). Among people with disabilities (n = 3633), those with an intellectual disability (IRR = 1.83, P < .001) or a mental disability (IRR = 2.32, P < .001) were the most likely to experience revictimization. Perpetrator relationship had an influence; compared with noncohabiting partners, the following perpetrators were associated with a greater risk of multiple assault: online acquaintances (IRR = 1.94, P < .001); fathers (IRR = 1.64, P < .001), and strangers (IRR = 1.68, P < .001). Online acquaintances were a risk factor among people with disabilities (IRR = 1.74, P < .001). Our findings highlight substantial, disability-specific disparities in repeated sexual assault. Prevention and response should prioritize assisting survivors with intellectual and mental disabilities.