Addressing Sexual Violence Against Persons with Disabilities in Belgium

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: This study examined the specific vulnerabilities and experiences of persons with disabilities (PwDs) regarding sexual violence (SV) in Belgium. <b>Methods</b>: Data were drawn from the nationally representative UN-MENAMAIS survey (n = 4944), which included adults aged 16-99 years. SV was assessed using behaviourally specific questions based on validated international instruments. Logistic regression analyses examined associations between SV, disability status, sociodemographic, and mental health indicators. <b>Results</b>: PwDs reported a significantly higher lifetime prevalence of hands-on SV (37.8%) compared with those without disabilities (29.4%; <i>p</i> < 0.001, V = 0.065). PwDs also reported lower quality of life (<i>p</i> < 0.001, V = 0.273), and higher rates of depression (<i>p</i> < 0.001, V = 0.214), anxiety (<i>p</i> < 0.001, V = 0.145), PTSD (<i>p</i> < 0.001, V = 0.101), sedative use (<i>p</i> < 0.001, V = 0.237), and suicide attempts (<i>p</i> < 0.001, V = 0.124), though they reported less hazardous alcohol use (<i>p</i> < 0.001, V = 0.103) and cannabis use (<i>p</i> < 0.001, V = 0.080). Regression analyses showed that individuals assigned female at birth (<i>p</i> < 0.001) and those identifying as LGB+ (<i>p</i> < 0.001) were at a higher risk of both hands-off and hands-on SV. Among mental health correlates, depression, anxiety, PTSD, substance use, self-harm, and suicide attempts were significantly (all <i>p</i> < 0.001) associated with increased odds of SV. <b>Conclusions</b>: The findings highlight the need for targeted, inclusive prevention and support strategies addressing structural inequalities, ableism, and barriers to care to effectively prevent SV and revictimization among PwDs.