WOMEN with disabilities are at an increased risk of experiencing domestic violence, however their ability to access crisis services remains low, according to the Women’s Centre for Health Matters Inc.
“The perpetrator could be a support worker or family carer, and the abuse can be an incident of inappropriate touching when being showered, having their wheelchair taken away, withholding medication or shifting things in a house for someone with no vision,” said Sue Salthouse, president of Women With Disabilities Australia and Women With Disabilities ACT co-ordinator.
“Many women with disabilities, don’t realise it’s abuse.
“Financial abuse can be a big factor.
“Although it’s illegal to give out your PIN, sometimes when you have a disability, you need to give someone else access to your bank account.
“But sometimes the person who gets access to your bank, may not be honest with how they are using the money.”
The WCHM with Women With Disabilities ACT and Advocacy for Inclusion will be running workshops next month for domestic violence crisis services staff to increase their awareness on the issue and equip them with the skills to help women with disabilities escape domestic violence.
Sue said there were helplines for women with disabilities, who were experiencing domestic abuse, however letting them know about them had always been an issue.
Anna Saxon-Taylor has vision and mobility disabilities and works closely with the ACT Domestic Violence Council.
“You may not have the support network of friends and don’t have anyone to ring up and talk to,” Anna said.
“And if you don’t have any money you are more vulnerable.”
At the workshops, Anna will be an “expert witness” who will speak to the domestic violence crisis workers, about her own experiences .
“People may think my major disability is my vision, but I have other disabilities that are not so obvious,” Ms Saxon-Taylor said.
“In my experience, 30 odd years ago, there were no services and no support.
“Add to the mix young children.
“My experience gives me an insight into how to relate to women who are going through this.”
The training workshop will not only include sessions delivered by women with disabilities, but an online manual to assist services in becoming more disability-friendly.
Sue and Anna both hope that this is a step towards a brighter future for women with disabilities.
“Addressing the Accessibility Needs of Women With Disabilities Experiencing Violence” was made possible after the WCHM
successfully secured funding under the ACT Health Promotion Grants Program.More information at www.wchm.org.au
For people experiencing domestic violence, help is at 1800 737732 or visit theline.gov.au
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