- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
- Topic: Domestic, family, and sexual violence (FDSV) and disability
🧠 Key Findings
🔴 Higher Risk of Violence
- About 1 in 5 adults with disability (21%) have experienced partner violence
- People with severe disability are much more at risk than those without disability
👉 This shows a clear inequality in safety and protection
👩 Gender Differences
- Women with disabilities are around 3 times more likely to experience violence than men with disabilities
⚠️ Known Perpetrators
-
Most abuse is carried out by:
- Intimate partners
- Family members
- Known individuals
👉 Not strangers—this is very important for understanding risk
⚠️ Unique Forms of Abuse (Disability-Specific)
People with disabilities may experience additional types of abuse, such as:
- Withholding medication or care
- Interfering with mobility aids
- Threats of institutionalization
- Forced medical treatment (e.g., sterilization)
👉 These forms of abuse are about control and dependence
🚧 Barriers to Getting Help
The research shows people with disabilities face:
- Difficulty accessing services
- Lack of accessible support
- Fear of losing care or independence
👉 This can trap people in abusive situations
🧠 Mental Health Impact
Domestic violence in people with disabilities is strongly linked to:
- Trauma (PTSD)
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Psychological distress
👉 Abuse often has long-term emotional effects
📱 Modern Abuse (Technology)
-
People with disabilities are more likely to experience online/technology abuse
Examples:
- Monitoring devices
- Harassment online
- Digital control
🏠 Housing & Homelessness
-
Many people with disabilities experiencing violence seek help due to:
- Domestic violence
- Housing crisis
👉 Abuse is a major cause of homelessness risk
🟦 2. EASY READ VERSION
🏠 Domestic Violence and Disability
People with disabilities are more likely to be abused.
⚠️ Facts
- 1 in 5 people with disability experience violence
- Women are at higher risk
❗ Abuse can include
- Hitting or hurting
- Taking away care or medicine
- Breaking equipment (like wheelchairs)
- Controlling money or communication
🚧 Problems getting help
People may:
- Not be able to leave
- Depend on the abuser
- Struggle to access support
🧠 Mental health effects
- Anxiety 😟
- Depression 😢
- Trauma 😨
❤️ What is needed
- Better support
- Accessible services
- Protection and safety
🎤 3. POWERPOINT SLIDES
Slide 1 – Title
Domestic Violence and Disability
Slide 2 – Key Statistics
- 1 in 5 people with disability experience violence
- Higher risk than non-disabled people
Slide 3 – Who is at risk?
- Women with disabilities
- People with severe disabilities
Slide 4 – Types of Abuse
- Physical
- Emotional
- Sexual
- Disability-specific abuse
Slide 5 – Disability-Specific Abuse
- Withholding care
- Removing aids
- Threats of institutionalisation
Slide 6 – Barriers
- Limited access to help
- Dependence on abuser
- Fear of losing support
Slide 7 – Mental Health Impact
- PTSD
- Depression
- Anxiety
Slide 8 – Key Message
People with disabilities need equal protection and accessible support
📊 4. SUMMARY TABLE
| Area | Key Findings | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Risk | Higher rates of violence | Increased vulnerability |
| Gender | Women more affected | Inequality |
| Perpetrators | Usually known to victim | Harder to escape |
| Abuse Types | Includes disability-specific abuse | Greater control |
| Access | Barriers to services | Delayed help |
| Mental Health | Trauma, anxiety, depression | Long-term effects |
🧾 5. Strong Takeaway (For Your Book)
Evidence from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows that people with disabilities face significantly higher rates of domestic and family violence, including unique forms of abuse linked to dependence and care needs. These individuals also encounter serious barriers to accessing support, highlighting the urgent need for inclusive, accessible, and trauma-informed services.
No comments:
Post a Comment