Sexual assaults in individuals with visual impairment: a cross-sectional study of a Norwegian sample

Abstract

ObjectiveTo examine the prevalence of sexual assaults among individuals with visual impairment (VI) compared with the general population and to investigate the association between sexual assault and outcomes of self-efficacy and life satisfaction.DesignCross-sectional interview-based study conducted between February and May 2017.ParticipantsA probability sample of adults with VI (≥18 years) who were members of the Norwegian Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted. A total of 736 (61%) members participated, of whom 55% were of female gender. We obtained norm data for sexual assaults from a representative survey of the general Norwegian population.Outcome measuresSexual assaults (Life Event Checklist for DSM-5), self-efficacy (General Self-Efficacy Scale) and life satisfaction (Cantril’s Ladder of Life Satisfaction).ResultsThe prevalence of sexual assaults (rape, attempted rape and forced into sexual acts) in the VI population was 17.4% (95% CI 14.0 to 21.4) among women and 2.4% (95% CI 1.2 to 4.7) among men. For women, the VI population had higher rates of sexual assaults across age strata than the general population. For men, no significant differences were found. In the population of people with VI, the risk of sexual assault was greater for those having other impairments in addition to the vision loss. Individuals with VI who experienced sexual assaults had lower levels of self-efficacy (adjusted relative risk (ARR): 0.18, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.61) and life satisfaction (ARR: 0.31, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.50) than others.ConclusionsThe risk of experiencing sexual assault appears to be higher in individuals with VI than in the general population. Preventive measures as well as psychosocial care for those who have been exposed are needed.

The Lancet Global Health Commission on Global Eye Health: vision beyond 2020

“… 71 , 72 People with vision impairment also experience reduced employment prospects and are more likely to have low paid work rather than professional jobs. 73 , 74 Beyond education and employment, vision impairment is linked to social exclusion including the experience of negative attitudes, 75 violence and bullying, 76 sexual assault, 77 and loneliness.…”

The development of posttraumatic stress disorder in individuals with visual impairment: a systematic search and review

“…Eight articles reported on exposure to traumatic events in people with visual impairment 16,19,20,24–26 . This provided some insight into the prevalence of exposure to traumatic events, related risk factors and possible protective factors.…”

“…In their qualitative study, they describe several cases in which (falls) accidents were attributed to the lack of crucial visual information regarding (potentially) hazardous situations. Second, a higher risk of sexual assaults was identified in a cross‐sectional study by Brunes and Heir 25 examining the prevalence of sexual assaults among individuals with visual impairment compared with the general population. Third, vision loss, or phenomena causing vision loss, was described as a traumatic experience in several publications 16,19 .…”

“…In each of the studies which described the experiences during traumatic events, 24,25,28 the perceived barriers in interpreting and responding to a situation were shown to be accompanied by feelings of helplessness, lack of control and loss of security, which added to the stressfulness of the experience.…”

“…Factors that are thought to influence this relationship include the increased risk of dependency as a result of the disability, increased risk of isolation and reduced mobility. Brunes and Heir 25 emphasise the important role of power and control in sexual abuse among people with vision impairment, as dependency and social isolation may contribute to their vulnerability for potential perpetrators. Dependency and low self‐esteem may play a role in the persistence of abusive relationships.…”