Disability, Gender and Intimate Partner Violence: Relationships from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

Abstract

Research on women with disabilities has found that the most common perpetrators of violence were current or former intimate partners (Young et al. Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 78, S34-S38, 1997; Riddington, Beating the ''odds'': Violence and Women with Disabilities (Position Paper 2). 1989). This article examines intimate partner sexual and physical abuse experienced by women with disabilities compared to women without disabilities and men with and without disabilities through chi square analysis and regression analysis using data from the 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Results show that women with disabilities experienced almost twice the rate of all forms of abuse compared to the other populations. Variables increasing the likelihood of abuse include being female, disabled, not employed, uncoupled and younger age. Implications for future research, screening and intervention for rehabilitation professionals are discussed.Keywords Women with disabilities Á Intimate partner violence Á Rehabilitation National surveys reveal that between 25% and 31% of American women have been physically or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend during their lifetime [1,2]. In addition, research compiled from a national sexuality survey on a sample of 860 women, 439 with disabilities found that the most common perpetrators of violence were current or former intimate partners [3]. Participants in this survey were women who met the following criteria: (1) between the ages of 18 and 65 years; (2) a self-reported physical disability resulting in functional limitations; and, (3) no known cognitive impairments or mental health problems.

Comportamientos de riesgo y abuso sexual en varones y mujeres con discapacidad visual o auditiva

“…También parece confirmarse que dicho patrón de riesgo es mayor al que puede presentarse en poblaciones sin discapacidad y que las mujeres son las más afectadas (Nosek et al, 2001;Smith, 2008).…”

“…La investigación realizada por Smith (2008) comparó situaciones de abuso en poblaciones estadounidenses de hombres y mujeres con discapacidad y sin ella. Los resultados indicaron que hombres y mujeres con discapacidad viven diversas formas de violencia -incluyendo amenazas, intentos, violencia física real, así como relaciones sexuales no deseadas-, pero que son las mujeres con discapacidad quienes viven estas situaciones con mayor frecuencia.…”

Intimate Partner Violence in a U.S. College Sample: Do Auditory Status and Gender Predict Victimization?

“…Disability theory points to the isolation, lack of power, and unequal access to resources that persons with disabilities experience (Smith, 2007). Disability theory moves beyond traditional theories of domestic abuse and violence that do not adequately account for the experiences of persons with disabilities and have not considered the effects of marginalization and oppression of those who have disabilities (Mays, 2006;Smith & Anderson, 2004).…”

“…Disability theory moves beyond traditional theories of domestic abuse and violence that do not adequately account for the experiences of persons with disabilities and have not considered the effects of marginalization and oppression of those who have disabilities (Mays, 2006;Smith & Anderson, 2004). Many studies have found that women with disabilities are at a higher risk for IPV than women without disabilities (Brownridge, 2006;Brownridge, Ristock, & Hiebert-Murphy, 2008;Chenoweth, 1997;Collins et al, 1999;Hague, Thiara, & Magowan, 2007;Luthra & Gidycz, 2006;McFarlane et al, 2001;Nosek et al, 1995;Smith, 2007;Sobsey & Doe, 1991;Young, Nosek, Howland, Chanpong, & Rintala, 1997).…”

Strong and Safe: a healthy relationships and empowerment group for women with disabilities

“…Adding to this, Smith's (2008) analysis of the frequency of interpersonal violence for women with disabilities strongly recommended that interventions need to be developed that will support women who are at risk of interpersonal violence and in particular, strengthen assessment procedures to identify women who are experiencing interpersonal violence. Lund In sum, there are a number of social dynamics which create real barriers for women with disabilities and in tum, make women with disabilities vulnerable to interpersonal violence.…”