Domestic violence is about power and control. It is never to be confused with love, caring or respect. It is physical harm, but it can also include emotional and verbal abuse. Anyone, any age, can be affected by domestic violence.
The signs and symptoms of domestic violence for people with disabilities are similar to those of other forms of domestic violence. They may include physical violence, sexual assault, and emotional and/or psychological abuse, and financial exploitation.
What you should know about people with disabilities and domestic violence
- A woman with a disability is 85% more likely to be a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault than a woman without disabilities
- As many as nine out of ten people with developmental disabilities and one of every two elders with a disability report abuse by a caregiver or others in a position of trust
- All people with disabilities and their children have a right to live in safety, free of violence and abuse
- The majority of crime victims with disabilities live at or below the poverty level
Victims with disabilities face unique barriers:
- The abuser may be the victim’s intimate partner, parent, or child as well as the primary caregiver.
- The abuser may be the sole sign language interpreter.
- Service availability and accessibility may be limited.
- Providers and others may not understand the victim or the victim may not have language skills to describe the abuse.
To exert power and control, the abuser may:
- Isolate the victim from family, friends, and other community members.
- Refuse or fail to provide basic life necessities such as food and water, medication, personal hygiene care, shelter, and comfort.
- Threaten the victim with total abandonment.
- Refuse to transport the victim to essential medical appointments.
- Withhold financial support or deposit the victim’s funds into their own personal account.
- Withhold the use of their assistive devices.
