Violence against persons with disabilities in Latin America: A systematic review

To describe the scientific production on violence against people with disabilities in Latin America. Method: A systematic review was carried out, in which 611 articles from Scopus, Web of Science and LILACS were analysed and 20 were selected using the inclusion and exclusion criteria (language, geographical area, accessibility, type of article) of the PRISMA method. The results indicate that there are only publications in Brazil, Mexico, Colombia and Chile, the most used techniques were interviews and self-reports and the approach of the studies in almost all cases was qualitative or quantitative. The findings indicate that there is a prevalence of psychological, physical and sexual abuse, mainly of women in rural areas, and there are more reported cases of violence against people with physical disabilities. Despite this, the region faces structural, social and institutional barriers that limit support and protection, due to a lack of implementation of public policies. In conclusion, the Latin American scenario still represents great challenges in terms of progress in addressing the problem of violence against persons with disabilities. Violence against people with disabilities in Latin America represents a serious and under-researched issue, revealing a significant knowledge gap. To date, only Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and Chile have achieved substantial progress, while most countries continue to lack sufficient data and effective policies. The findings highlight that the main victims are women with physical disabilities and that psychological violence is the most prevalent form of abuse. Furthermore, structural, social, and institutional barriers limit timely access to support, healthcare, and justice services, perpetuating the vulnerability of this population. There is an urgent need for further research using mixed-methods approaches, the implementation of practical interventions, and comprehensive analyses of public policies and accessibility strategies aimed at protecting rights and promoting the social inclusion of people with disabilities.