On a new episode of #ServicesWithoutHitches, we confronted a painful reality: silence and stigma, coupled with shame and fear, continue to trap women and girls with disabilities in cycles of abuse and exclusion. This critical conversation sheds light on issues that often go unspoken but profoundly impact the lives of many.
Imabong Ladipo Sanusi, a licensed mental health therapist and child protection advocate, unpacked how silence protects perpetrators, empowers abusive systems, and deepens the vulnerability of survivors, particularly women and girls with disabilities. She poignantly highlighted that beyond silence and stigma, feelings of shame, sobbing, and silent suffering permeate their experiences, further isolating them from support.
Key Takeaways from the Episode
- Stigma Thrives on Silence: Stigma flourishes in environments where silence is enforced by fear, shame, and discrimination.
- Discouragement to Report: Families, communities, and institutions often discourage survivors from reporting abuse in the name of “honour” or cultural values.
- Isolation and Denial of Justice: Survivors with disabilities frequently face disbelief, isolation, and barriers to justice and support.
- Disability as Human Diversity: Disability should not be viewed as a curse, punishment, or source of shame; rather, it is a part of the rich tapestry of human diversity.
To make meaningful change, we must educate ourselves, listen to survivors, believe their experiences, challenge harmful norms, and build accessible, inclusive systems that protect dignity and human rights for all.
As the episode powerfully reminds us: silence protects abuse. Speaking out saves lives.
