Disabilities & DA

People with disabilities are more vulnerable to domestic abuse and often face additional barriers to accessing support.

Disabled women are twice as likely to experience domestic abuse as non-disabled women.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 999

This video was produced by Women with Disabilities Victoria (WDV) Australia.

Barriers for People with Disabilities:

Someone who is disabled and experiencing domestic abuse may find it harder to protect themselves, access sources of help, or remove themselves from the abusive situation.

People with disabilities may be reliant on the abuser for personal care or mobility.

Learning disabilities can also affect victim-survivors access to support and their understanding of their own abuse.

Disabilities
Disability barrier

Is abuse different for people with disabilities?

People with disabilities can be subject to all forms of domestic abuse, but due to their added vulnerability they may also experience:

  • An abuser withholding care or medication from them
  • An abuser removing mobility or sensory devices that they need for independence
  • An abuser claiming state benefits in order to care for them — enabling them to control the victim-survivor’s finances more effectively
  • An abuser using their disability to taunt or degrade them

Difficulties with disclosure

  • Disabled victims may already be socially isolated because of their disability. They may also find it harder to disclose abuse because they have no opportunity to see health or social care professionals without their abuser being present.

  • For a victim-survivor with disabilities, the concerns about moving out of their homes come with additional and vital concerns about accessibility of a new home or refuge.

  • Their house may have been specially adapted for them. Care packages have been organised and they may be worried that they will lose their current level of independence if they are forced to move elsewhere.

  • They may be reluctant to report domestic abuse from a partner whose care they depend on, and which they believe enables them to stay out of institutional care.

Vulnerable adults

People with disabilities may be regarded as a “vulnerable adult” or “adult at risk”.There are multi-agency policies and procedures for the safeguarding and protection of vulnerable adults. You can find details of these on your local authority’s Adult Safeguarding Board website.

Further Reading and Resources