Losing out on both counts: disabled women and domestic violence

Abstract

The links between disability and domestic violence have been under-examined to date, leading to the marginalisation of disabled women affected by domestic violence in theory, politics, and practice. This paper draws on the findings from the first national study in the United Kingdom of the needs of disabled women experiencing domestic violence and of the services available to meet these needs. Utilising the concept of intersectionality to locate abused disabled women along axes of oppression/domination, the paper highlights the complex nature of women's abuse experiences as well as the inadequacy of professional responses which leave women without support and protection. Points of interestSince the links between disabled women and domestic violence are underexplored, this article crucially merges existing literature with the findings of recent national UK research to highlight the experiences of disabled women affected by domestic violence. Given the inadequate attention given to disabled women affected by domestic violence in the disability and domestic violence sectors, along with other statutory agencies and professionals, the discussion in this paper will provide crucial information about the issue to a wide range of professionals. Importantly, it is intended to raise issues and questions that, if addressed by all concerned, can contribute to improving the situation for abused disabled women. The paper contains recommendations for both the domestic violence and disability sectors and develops new conceptualisations of domestic abuse as experienced by disabled women. IntroductionDespite key developments in theory and practice in both the domestic violence and disability fields, the link between domestic violence and disabled women has been

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“…Neither, however, are they assumed to refer to necessarily different and discrete types of problem (see, for example, Humphreys and Absler, 2011;Thiara et al, 2011). The comparison is of three frameworks for understanding and for professional practice.…”

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