Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Hatred: The unacknowledged dimension in violence against disabled people

  • Published:
Sexuality and Disability Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This article examines the cultural ideology about disability which leads to violence, including crimes of a sexual nature, directed at disabled persons. It asserts a disability rights perspective and also focuses on the the socio-political model of disability which provides a greater understanding as to why these crimes occur. The ultimate goal of the author is to argue for the inclusion of the disability community as a group at risk in the federal Hate Crimes Statistics Act, which is designed to track hate crimes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Committee on the Judiciary: Hate Crime Statistics Act: Report 101-109. 101st Congress, June 23, 1989

  2. Ellis, J. Personal communication with author, 1990

  3. Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith: Hate Crimes Statutes: A Response to Anti-Semitism, Vandalism and Violent Bigotry. ADL Law Report. New York, Author, 1988

  4. Camblin, L.D.: A Survey of State Efforts in Gathering Information on Child Abuse and Neglect in Handicapped Populations. Child Abuse Negl 6(4): 465–472, 1982

    Google Scholar 

  5. Morgan, S.: Abuse and Neglect of Handicapped Children. Boston, Little, Brown and Company, 1987

    Google Scholar 

  6. Sobsey, D. and Varnhagen, C.: Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of People with Disabilities: A Study of the Victims. Ottowa, Health and Welfare Canada (no date).

  7. Hahn, H.: Civil Rights for Disabled Americans: The Foundation of a Political Agenda,In Gartner, A. and Joe, T. (eds.), Images of the Disabled, Disabling Images. New York, Praeger, 1987

    Google Scholar 

  8. Gowen, J.W., Johnson-Martin, N., Goldman, B.D., and Appelbaum, M: Fellings of Depression and Parenting Incompetence of Mothers of Handicapped and Nonhandicapped Infants: A Longitudinal Study. Am J Ment Retard 94(3): 259–271, 1989

    Google Scholar 

  9. Herek, G.M.. The Context of Anti-Gay Violence: Notes on Cultural and Psychological Heterosexism. J Interpers Violence 5(3): 316–333, 1990

    Google Scholar 

  10. Schafran, L.H.: Carol Stuart and the War on Women: What is the Legal Community's Response? Mass Law Review 46–51, Summer 1990

  11. National Gay and Lesbian Task Force: Anti-Gay Violence, Victimization and Defamation in 1988. Copies of this report may be obtained from NGLTF, 1517 U Street NW, Washington, DC 20009.

  12. Lambert, S.: Disability and Violence (unpublished manuscript) 1990

  13. Ryerson, E.: Sexual Abuse of Disabled Persons and Prevention Alternatives,In D. Bullard and S. Knight (eds.), Sexuality and Physical Disability: Personal Perspectives. St Louis, CV Mosby and Co. 1981, pp 235–241.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Sobsey, D. and Varnhagen, C.: Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of People with Disabilities: Toward Prevention and Treatment,In M. Csapo and L. Gougen (eds.) Special Education Across Canada: Challenges for the 90's. Vancouver, Centre for Human Development and Research, 1989, pp 199–218

    Google Scholar 

  15. Longmore, P.: Elizabeth Bouvia, Assisted Suicide and Social Prejudice. Issues Law Med 3(2). 141–168, 1987

    Google Scholar 

  16. Attorney General's Commission on Racial, Ethnic, Religious, and Minority Violence: Final Report. Copies may be obtained from Office of the Attorney General, 1515 K Street, Suite 371, Sacramento, CA 95814. 1986

  17. Robinson, M.: Arsonists Hit Home of Disabled Man Again. The Denver Post Aug 30, 1990

  18. Hudak, E.J.: The Eric Bernstein Case: Why No Outcry from the Handicapped? Philadelphia Daily News, December 8, 1987

  19. Committee on Labor and Human Relations: Examining Proposed Legislation on the Reauthorization of the Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Individuals Act (P.L. 99–319): Hearing before the Subcommittee on the Handicapped, Senate (Serial No. 89-669). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Weiker, L.: Federal Response to Institutional Abuse and Neglect: The Protection and Advocacy for the Mentally Ill Individuals Act. Am Psychol 42(11): 1027–8, 1987

    Google Scholar 

  21. Pitts, B.: Eliminating Hate: A Proposal for a Comprehensive Bias Crime Law. Law Psych Review 14:139–151, 1990

    Google Scholar 

  22. Mullen, C.: Disabled More Likely Targets of Sexual Assault, Study Finds. The Edmonton Journal pp 88, Sept 13, 1988

  23. Cole, S.. Facing the Challenges of Sexual Abuse in Persons with Disabilities. Sexuality and Disabled 7(3/4): 71–88, 1984–1986

    Google Scholar 

  24. Center for Women Policy Studies: Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of People with Disabilities. Copies may be obtained from 2000 P Street NW, Suite 508, Washington, DC 20036-5997, March/April 1984; PP 7–8

  25. Longo, R.E. and Gochenour, C.: Sexual Assault of Handicapped Individuals. J Rehabil pp 24–27, July/ August/September 1981

  26. Hill, N., Mehnert, T., Taylor, T., Kagey, M., Leizhenko, S., et al.: The ICD Survey of Disabled Americans: Bringing Disabled Americans into the Mainstream. New York, International Center for the Disabled, 1986

    Google Scholar 

  27. Hahn, H.. Disability and the Reproduction of Bodily Images: The Dynamics of Human Appearance.In J. Wolch and M Dearborn (eds.) The Power of Geography: How Territory Shapes Social Life. Boston, University Press, 1989, pp 370–388.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Fine, M and Asch, A.: Disability Beyond Stigma: Social Interaction, Discrimination, and Activism. J Soc Issues 44(1): 3–21, 1988a

    Google Scholar 

  29. Scotch, R.K.: From Goodwill to Civil Rights: Transforming Federal Disability Policy. Philadelphia, Temple University Press, 1984

    Google Scholar 

  30. Glieadman, J, and Roth, W.: The Unexpected Minority: Handicapped Children in America. New York, Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, 1980

    Google Scholar 

  31. Wolfensberger, W.: The Origin and Nature of Our Institutional Models. New York, Human Policy Press, 1975

    Google Scholar 

  32. Scheer, J. and Groce, N.: Impairment as a Human Constant: Cross-Cultural and Historical Perspectives on Variation. J Soc Issues 44(1): 23–38, 1988

    Google Scholar 

  33. Gallagher, H.G.: By Trust Betrayed: Patients, Physicians, and the License to Kill in the Third Reich. New York, Henry Holt and Company, 1990

    Google Scholar 

  34. Stone, D.A. The Disabled State. Philadelphia, Temple University Press, 1984

    Google Scholar 

  35. Bowe, F.. Handicapping America. New York, Harper and Rowe, 1978

    Google Scholar 

  36. Finger, A.: Hitler's War Against the Disabled. (unpublished manuscript) 1986

  37. Hahn, H.: The Politics of Physical Differences: Disability and Discrimination. J Soc Issues 44(1): 39–47, 1988

    Google Scholar 

  38. Longmore, D.: Screening Stereotypes: Images of Disabled People. Soc Policy, pp 31–37 Summer 1985

  39. Katz, I.: A Social Psychological Analysis. New Jersey, Lawrence Erlbaum Asso., 1981

    Google Scholar 

  40. Katz, I., Glass, D.C., Lucindo, D.J., Farber, J.: Ambivalence, Guilt, and the Denigration of a Physically Handicapped Victim. J Pers 45(3): 419–429, 1977

    Google Scholar 

  41. Goffman, E.: Stigma: Notes on the Management of a Spoiled Identity. New Jersey, Prentice-Hall, Inc. 1963

    Google Scholar 

  42. Children Who Invite Abuse: The Early Years: Sensory Problems,In D. Sobsey, S. Gray, D. Wells, D. Pyper and B. Relmer-Heck (eds.) Sexuality, Disability and Abuse: An Annotated Bibliography. Baltimore, Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., 1991; pp 27

    Google Scholar 

  43. Fine, M. and Asch, A.: Introduction: Beyond Pedestals,In M. Fine and A. Asch (eds.) Women with Disabilities: Essays in Psychology, Culture, and Politics. Philadelphia, Temple University Press, 1988b, pp 1–37

    Google Scholar 

  44. Campling. J.: Images of Ourselves: Women with Disabilities Talking. Boston, Routledge and Kegan Paul Ltd., 1985

    Google Scholar 

  45. Matthews, G.F.: Voices from the Shadows: Women with Disabilities Speak Out. Toronto, Women's Educational Press, 1983

    Google Scholar 

  46. Deegan, M.J., and Brooks, N.: Women and Disability: The Double Handicap. New Jersey, Transaction Books, 1985

    Google Scholar 

  47. Browne, S., Conners, D. and Stern, N.: With the Power of Each Breath: A Disabled Women's Anthology. Pittsburgh, Cleis Press, 1985

    Google Scholar 

  48. Saxton, M. and Howe, F.: With Wings: An Anthology of Literature by and about Women with Disabilities. New York, The Feminist Press, 1987

    Google Scholar 

  49. Rousso, H.. Disabled, Female, and Proud: Stories of Ten Women with Disabilities. Boston, Exceptional Parent Press, 1988

    Google Scholar 

  50. Stewart, J.: The Body's Memory. New York, St. Martin's Press, 1989

    Google Scholar 

  51. Carpenter, S.. Sexual Assault and the Disabled Woman. Toronto, Ontario, A Special Presentation of: The Radio Connection: The Broadcast Voice of People with Disabilities. Transcripts may be obtained from 597 Parliament Street, Suite B5, Toronto, Ontario M4X 1W3, 1988

  52. Gill, C.: Personal communication with author, 1990

  53. Jones, E.E., Farina, A., Hastorf, A.H., Markus, H., Miller, D.T., Scott, R.A., and French, R. de S.: Social Stigma: The Psychology of Marked Relationships. New York, W.H. Freeman and Co., 1984

    Google Scholar 

  54. Asch, A.. The Experience of Disability: A Challenge for Psychology. Am Psychol 39(5): 529–536, 1984

    Google Scholar 

  55. Johnson, M.: Playing God in the Nursery.In The Disability Rag, M Johnson (ed.) St. Louis, Avocado Press, Jan/Feb 1986a, pp 23–24

    Google Scholar 

  56. Johnson, M.: Care that Kills.In The Disability Rag, M. Johnson (ed.) St. Louis, Avocado Press, Nov/Dec 1986b; pp 9–10

    Google Scholar 

  57. Johnson, M.. Unanswered Questions.In The Disability Rag, M Johnson (ed.) St. Louis, Avocado Press, Sept/Oct 1990; pp 16–26

    Google Scholar 

  58. Finger, A.: Past Due: A Story of Disability, Pregnancy and Birth. Seattle, Seal Press, 1990

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 8883 Pico Blvd., P.O. Box 127, 90035, Los Angeles, CA

    Barbara Faye Waxman

Authors
  1. Barbara Faye Waxman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Consultant in disability and sexuality, reproductive health and family life policies.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Waxman, B.F. Hatred: The unacknowledged dimension in violence against disabled people. Sex Disabil 9, 185–199 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01102392

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01102392

Key words

Search

Navigation