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Self-Defense Among Women With Disabilities: An Unexplored Domain in Domestic Violence Cases

NCJ Number
240604
Journal
Violence Against Women Volume: 9 Issue: 18 Dated: September 2012 Pages: 1083-1107
Author(s)
Michelle S. Ballan; Molly Burke Freyer
Date Published
September 2012
Length
25 pages
Annotation
This article reviews prevalence and types of intimate partner violence against women with disabilities and explores the factors that leave this population at higher risk for abuse than nondisabled women.
Abstract
Women with disabilities are frequent victims of domestic violence, yet scant research has examined self-protective mechanisms that could mitigate this abuse. This article reviews prevalence and types of intimate partner violence against women with disabilities and explores the factors that leave this population at higher risk for abuse than nondisabled women. Barriers to self-protection against domestic violence for women with diverse disabilities are highlighted and the use of nonfatal force as self-defense is explored. A case example and considerations for enhancing self-protection strategies for women with disabilities experiencing intimate partner violence are provided. Abstract published by arrangement with Sage Journals.