(Tasmania, Australia) A state sexual abuse support service says reports to police of sexual violence against Tasmanians with a disability are often not prosecuted in court. The sexual Assault Support Service chief executive said 25 per cent of women with a disability had experience some form of sexual violence compared to 15 per cent of women without a disability. The rate of assault was higher because people with disability were more vulnerable and, in some cases, relied on the care and guidance of others.

According to personal safety data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, nearly 31 per cent of women with a severe disability from the age of 15 have experienced sexual violence. Thirteen per cent of men with a severe disability have experienced sexual violence since the age of 15. More of this story here.