March is Disability Awareness Month and people with disabilities and domestic violence intersect in many ways. We know that disability covers a wide range of identities and communities, and the ways in which they intersect with domestic violence appear in different forms. That’s why it’s important to know specific challenges they face, why it’s important to understand their unique experiences, and ways to help.
What Does Domestic Violence Look Like for a victim with a Disability?
- Verbal and psychological abuse
- Unwanted sexual contact
- Threats and intimidation
- Neglect
- Withholding medications
- Physically harming service animals
- Isolating victims
- Withholding or destroying assistive devices such as wheelchairs
- Financially exploiting victims and misusing victim’s money
Four Facts About People with Disabilities and Domestic Violence
- People with disabilities have a higher lifetime prevalence of experiencing abuse than people without disabilities
- People with disabilities experience violent crimes at twice the rate of people without disabilities
- In 2008, intimate partners perpetrated 27% of violent crimes against women with disabilities and 1% of crimes against men with disabilities
- Police are less likely to respond to reported violence against victims with disabilities than they are to reported violence against victims without disabilities
About DART
The Domestic Abuse Resistance Team (DART) has served families since 1994, providing advocacy, education, and support services to victims of domestic and dating violence.
Contact:
Annie Goods
Winn Parish DART Office
301 West Main Street
Winnfield, LA 71483
Phone: 318-648-0559