Violence against women with disabilities 2012, para. 43
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Paternalistic attitudes towards persons with disabilities may also prevent full and fair access to the witness stand. Various players in the judicial system may view women with disabilities as too fragile to withstand the rigors of examination by attorneys or judges, leading to their exclusion. Such exclusion has the effect of placing them at even greater risk since perpetrators may target women with disabilities because they know that complaints may be taken less seriously. Moreover, women with disabilities whose complaints have been dismissed are less likely to come forward again to report abuse.
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Non-negotiated soft law
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Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences