The Invisible Violence

There are forms of violence that leave no physical traces and are not reflected in clinical reports or administrative records. These are manifestations of abuse that, although invisible, have a profound impact on emotional health, self-esteem, and the dignity of those who suffer from them. Among these, one of the most normalized and least reported stands out: the lack of empathy in environments of healthcare and care.

When addressing abuse towards people with disabilities, attention is usually focused on physical assaults, abandonment, or explicit violation of rights. However, there is a more subtle and everyday dimension that deserves special attention from institutions, professionals, and society.

This form of abuse is manifested through seemingly minor behaviors that, when accumulated, generate processes of dehumanization: ignoring a request for help, talking about a person without addressing them directly, making decisions without their input, minimizing their concerns, or responding indifferently to their needs. These practices violate autonomy, participation, and respect.

People with disabilities who are hospitalized, reside in socio-health centers, or receive specialized support place in professionals something more than an expectation of technical care. They place trust, security, and an important part of their personal autonomy. They expect care that also recognizes their status as rights holders.

From the perspective of the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, inherent dignity, individual autonomy, full participation, and respect for the person's will are essential principles. When these are ignored in everyday practice, a form of institutional violence occurs, which, although not always intentional, has real consequences.

The dependency between the service user and those providing support contributes to making these situations invisible. Many people need assistance for mobility, communication, or access to treatments and may fear expressing complaints due to fear of retaliation or that their future needs will not be adequately met. The lack of empathy is not just a relational deficiency. It directly influences emotional well-being, trust in professionals, adherence to treatments, and the perceived quality of care. Indifference generates anxiety, insecurity, and feelings of abandonment.

Therefore, it is necessary to broaden the concept of accessibility. In addition to physical, technological, and communicative accessibility, genuine human accessibility must be promoted, based on respect, active listening, participation, and recognition of the dignity of each person.

The vast majority of health, social services, rehabilitation, and care professionals perform their work with a high ethical and human commitment. Out of respect for these values, it is essential to identify and correct behaviors that contradict person-centered care. Building a truly inclusive society requires recognizing that dignity does not depend on each individual's physical, cognitive, or functional capacity. Caring is not only about meeting needs or applying clinical procedures; it also means recognizing the humanity, will, and rights of people with disabilities. True inclusion begins when we stop seeing patients, users, or dependents and start seeing people.