WOMEN with disabilities experience violence at higher rates than those of other women and it’s a reality the community should know.
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A forum will be held in Warrnambool on Thursday with the whole community encouraged to attend.
South West Carer and Respite Services Network coordinator Wendy Jones said there was a myth in the community that women with a disability were less likely to experience violence.
“They’re in fact more likely,” she said. Ms Jones said the point of the forum, Everybody’s Business, was to create greater awareness about violence against women with a disability and elder abuse.
Disability and LGBTIQ activist and writer Jax Jackie Brown will deliver the Stella Young oration.
Ms Jones said it was also important to have good quality speakers and that the community had access to them. “Jax is really passionate and well informed on these issues,” she said.
According to a VicHealth report released in 2017 women with a disability are particularly vulnerable to sexual assault and/or multiple victimisation. “Women with disabilities are at risk of violence from their intimate partners, from those who are their carers and in a position to exert control and power and also those with whom they share a house or residence,” the report noted.
The report noted it was common for women with disabilities to experience violence by more than one person in their lifetime, whether that be through intimate male partners, carers, support staff, service providers, transport staff and male co-residents.
It noted it was also common for their experiences of violence to be both severe and protracted. “Violence experienced by women with disabilities is often specific to the nature of their disability,” the report noted. “It may include the denial of mobility and communication devices, the withholding of food or medication and threats of institutionalisation.”
The free forum will include local speakers about what is happening locally to address the abuse of women with disabilities and seniors and will include representatives from Police, Elder Abuse Prevention Network, South West Integrated Family Violence Partnership. It will be held at the City Memorial Bowls Club from 9.30am till 1.30pm.
