Triple Disadvantage: Out of Sight, Out of Mind

• NCJ Number: 208196
• Author(s): Chris Jennings
• Date Published: 2003
• Length: 58 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Victorian Government Dept of Human Services
• Sale Source: Domestic Violence and Incest Resource Centre
• Publication Format: Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: Australia
• Note: Downloaded December 22, 2004.

Annotation

This report describes the challenges faced by women with disabilities who suffer from interpersonal violence and describes a project to link disability services with services for women experiencing violence.

Abstract

The Violence Against Women with Disabilities Action (VAWDA) project in Australia was a 1-year demonstration project in the Western Metropolitan Region that worked to build partnerships between services for those with disabilities and services for women experiencing violence in order to address the needs of these women. Historically marginalized by a service system not prepared to meet their needs, the stories of women with disabilities who live in abusive relationships are presented as illustration of the complexities involved with serving this population. The VAWDA project learned seven key lessons regarding service provision to women with disabilities who suffer in violent relationships: (1) women with disabilities need more information about family violence; (2) recognition is needed for the extent of the problem faced by these women; (3) the definition of domestic violence should be changed; (4) an ongoing dialog between family violence programs and disability programs needs to be facilitated; (5) more research is needed about effective violence interventions for women with disabilities; (6) more data are needed about women with disabilities in general; and (7) women with disabilities need equal access to services. Project achievements are described and ideas for service providers seeking to reach out to women with disabilities are offered. Three training opportunities were also offered by the VAWDA project; one was for domestic violence service providers, another was for disability service providers, and a third training session brought together the members of both groups. Overall, the VAWDA project achieved several project outcomes, yet has not made service access easier for disabled women. The lack of coordination between the family violence, disability, and community support sectors is hindering the ability to deliver services to the target population. Several project recommendations are offered. References, appendixes