There is a compelling need to ensure that women with disabilities have access to domestic violence services:

  • 1.8 million women in Australia have a disability.

  • Women with disabilities are assaulted, raped and abused at a rate at least twice that of women without disabilities.

  • 90 percent of women with intellectual disabilities have been sexually abused.

The barriers that prevent women from accessing services are just as compelling because:

  • Women with disabilities often don’t believe they have a right to protest against abuse due to low levels of self esteem.

  • Women fear having to leave their home and move to a residential facility. Mothers with disabilities risk losing contact with their children.

  • Authorities have questioned the credibility of the reports of abuse lodged by women with disabilities

Why are women with disabilities more vulnerable to domestic violence?

  • The perpetrator of the violence is often the woman’s primary carer (partner, other relation or employee of a residential facility).

  • A disability often restricts a woman’s ability to protect herself, making her more vulnerable to abuse.

“Greater levels of social isolation mean that women with disabilities don’t have the support networks that often help other women in domestic violence situations.” – “Fabulous Femmes” The Benevolent Society

Assisting Women with Disability

  • If you need to know about your client’s disability, ask: “What do I need to know about your disability to allow me to provide services that are appropriate/helpful?” 

  • Clients must have the opportunity to provide informed consent regarding changes in the services they receive – this crosses all services e.g., medical, domestic violence, counselling, personal care.

  • When speaking to people with a disability, please don’t patronise them or speak too slowly.

  • Speak directly to your client and ask them questions directly (rather than a person who might be accompanying them).
    Unless your client is deaf/hearing impaired, they can probably hear you just fine. 

  • Encourage clients to seek clarification when you are explaining something.

  • Making assumptions about what your client is feeling, thinking or needs is dangerous – no matter how sure you think you are.

  • A bad experience can prevent a person from accessing services in the future. Be aware of the power of language and how it can hurt.

  • Look at the whole person – your clients who have disabilities are whole beings, not just their disability.

  • Familiarise yourself with the individual communication style of your clients, taking into account body language, eye movement etc.

  • When ringing, allow the phone to ring through as it might take the person you are calling some time to reach the phone and answer.

Source: Women with Disabilities Australia
Fabulous Femmes © The Benevolent Society 2004

Disability Services

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LINE • 1800 656 463

INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RIGHTS SERVICE • 02 9265 6300 or 1300 665 908 
Provides legal support to people with intellectual disability, family and carers (IDRS).
www.idrs.org.au  

MULTICULTURAL DISABILITY ADVOCACY ASSOCIATION • 02 9891 6400 or 1800 629 072
Can provide information and advocacy for women with disability from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds escaping domestic violence. 
www.mdaa.org.au  

NATIONAL DISABILITY ABUSE & NEGLECT HOT LINE • 1800 880 052

PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY (PWD) • 02 9370 3100  or  1800 422 016
www.pwd.org.au 

THE WASH HOUSE • 02 9677 1962
Includes CORRE Family Support Service for women with intellectual disability who are parents. www.washhouse.org.au