(Un)safe spaces: experiences of sexual violence at associations for people with dwarfism

Pritchard, Erin (2025) (Un)safe spaces: experiences of sexual violence at associations for people with dwarfism. Gender and Justice. ISSN 3033-3660

Text gj-article-10.1332-30333660Y2025D000000021.pdf - Published Version Restricted to Repository staff only until 1 July 2026. Download (463kB) | Request a copy

Abstract

Associations for people with dwarfism exist across the world and provide their members with invaluable support. Their annual conventions provide the opportunity for their members to meet other people with dwarfism, while engaging in leisure and social activities free from social abuse. This also includes typical dating opportunities which, outside of these spaces, are impacted by stereotypes of disability and sexuality. While conventions supposedly offer people with dwarfism a safe space, when considering intersecting identities, in this case gender and dwarfism, this article demonstrates how they become unsafe spaces for women with dwarfism. Drawing on survey data, this article focuses on incidents of sexual violence experienced by women with dwarfism when attending conventions. The aim of this article is not to shame associations but to expose unethical behaviours and offer recommendations as to how they can reduce the risk of sexual violence occurring, and therefore make their conventions safer for women with dwarfism to attend.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	dwarfism; sexual violence; safe spaces; unsafe spaces; associations for people with dwarfism; conventions
Faculty / Department:	Faculty of Education and Social Sciences > School of Social Sciences
Depositing User:	Erin Pritchard
Date Deposited:	24 Jul 2025 14:04
Last Modified:	24 Jul 2025 14:04
URI:	https://hira.hope.ac.uk/id/eprint/4717

Actions (login required)

View Item