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How might people with disabilities be vulnerable to
domestic violence?
- Persons who are deaf or who have a speech disability may not be able to report abuse or seek services due to communication barriers.
- Individuals with intellectual disabilities often reside in group homes where they are vulnerable to abuse by staff, caregivers, or other residents.
- They are often taught to be obedient and may be overly trusting of others.
- Persons with physical disabilities may depend on others to meet their basic needs such as bathing or toileting, making them vulnerable to abuse.
- They may also be less able to defend themselves or escape violent
situations.
- Persons with disabilities may lack knowledge about their bodies, healthy relationships, and how to protect themselves.
- Persons with disabilities may stay longer in an abusive situation and have fewer options for safety due to barriers at a domestic violence agency or in the community.
- Individuals with disabilities may be perceived by offenders as easy
targets.
What is disability?
Disability can be a physical, mental health, cognitive, or sensory condition that limits walking, thinking, seeing, talking, hearing, and/or everyday activities. Some disabilities are present at birth; others come later in life and may result from domestic violence. Some disabilities are visible while others may not be seen.
What other types of abuse might people with disabilities
experience along with domestic violence?
- Taunting about the disability.
- Withholding medication.
- Threatening to place the person in a residential facility.
- Withholding personal care or assistance such as refusing to prepare meals or bathe the person.
- Withholding needed medical equipment like walkers, canes or wheelchairs.
- Rough handling such as causing physical pain during routine care.
- Withholding benefits/money or controlling the person’s finances.
- Withholding access to communication such as sign language interpreters and relay phone services.
- Denying right of choice on reproductive issues.
Women with disabilities are more likely to experience violence.
Compared to women without disabilities, women with disabilities are more like to experience violence and for more extended periods of time. Some of the many reasons include:
Social myths
People with disabilities are often dismissed as passive, helpless, child-like, non-sexual and burdensome. These prejudices tend to make people with disabilities less visible to society, and suggest that abuse, especially sexual abuse, is unlikely.
Learned helplessness
People with
disabilities, particularly cognitive disabilities or those living in institutions for a long time, are encouraged to be compliant an cooperative. This life history can make it harder for a woman to defend herself against abuse.
Lack of sex education
There is a
tendency to deny sex education to people with intellectual disabilities. If a woman with no knowledge of sex is sexually abused, it is harder for her to seek help because she may not understand exactly what is happening to her.
Dependence
The woman may be d
pendent on her abuser for care because her disability limits her economic and environmental independence.
The abuser takes control
If the woman seeks help, follow-up may be difficult because the abuser isolates her and prevents her form using the phone or leaving the house.
When serving a client with a disability, domestic violence advocates should follow these guidelines:
- Regard the person as an equal individual. Reject the common view that a person with a disability needs to be ‘fixed’ or pitied.
- Assume that all people with disabilities are capable. Help each person identify her/his strengths and capabilities and build on them.
- Respect the person’s struggle as well as her/his strength as a survivor.
- Allow the client to identify issues to address. Don’t assume the issues are disability-related.
- Accept and defend the right of all people with disabilities to control their own lives.
How Can Domestic Violence Programs Better Serve People With Disabilities?
Ask everyone you serve this
question: “We are working to become more accessible. Will you need any assistance while receiving services from our agency?” If the person requires simpler language ask “Will you need any extra help?”
Listen to any instructions the person
may give about how you can assist. Examples might include helping to enter the building, providing large print materials, or requesting an assistive listening device.
Did you know?
- About 85% of women with disabilities have experienced domestic violence.
- 62% of a national sample of women with physical disabilities reported having experienced physical, sexual, or emotional abuse.
- Adults with developmental disabilities have 4-10 times the risk of physical and sexual abuse.
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