Disability
Disabled women are twice as likely to experience domestic violence than non-disabled women (1995 British Crime Survey, also confirmed by data from other countries). They are also likely to experience abuse over a longer period of time and to suffer more severe injuries as a result of the violence.
Additional issues
Someone who is disabled and experiencing domestic abuse a may find it harder to protect themselves,access sources of help or remove themselves from the abusive situation. The abuser may be their career, or their personal assistant (P.A.) and perhaps they are reliant on him/her for personal care or mobility. They can be subject to physical, psychological, sexual or financial abuse in any or all of the ways that non-disabled people are abused, but in addition they may experience the following forms of abusive behaviour:
- Your abuser may withhold care from them or undertake it neglectfully or abusively.
- Your abuser may remove mobility or sensory devices that they need for independence.
- Your abuser may be claiming state benefits in order to care for them - enabling them to control your finances more effectively
- Your abuser may use their disability to taunt or degrade them.
Difficulties with disclosure
They may already be socially isolated because of their disability but also find it harder to disclose abuse because they have no opportunity to see health or social care professionals without their abuser being present. They may have particular concerns about moving out of their home as it may have been specially adapted for them, or perhaps a care package has been organised and they are worried that they will lose their current level of independence if you are forced to move elsewhere. They may be reluctant to report domestic abuse from a partner whose care they depend on, and which they believe enables them to stay out of institutional care.
Vulnerable Adults
As a disabled person, they may be regarded as a “vulnerable adult”, and in this case, the are multi-agency Policies and Procedures for the safeguarding and protection of vulnerable adults. In Oxfordshire the criteria for being defined as a “vulnerable adult” is someone who is:
- aged 18 or over
- Receiving or in need of care. e.g. help with washing or dressing
- Unable to take care of themselves, or unable to protect themselves against significant harm or exploitation
Safeguarding Adults Board - Safe From Harm website
- Oxfordshire Safeguarding Adults Procedures (pdf format, 244 Kb)
- Oxfordshire Safeguarding Adults Policy (pdf format, 42.4 Kb)
- Guidance booklet for all staff (pdf format, 2.49 Kb)
- Safeguarding Adults public leaflet (pdf format, 110 Kb)
Support and Advice
Oxfordshire Social and Community Services
Social and Community Services have procedures for helping adults who have been abused. They can offer information and advice to help you in deciding what you want to do and in some cases may be able to provide you with practical help and support. The first priority will be to try and ensure that you are safe.
Telephone: 0845 0507 666
Minicom: not available when this page was created.
SMS: 07788 571577
Fax: 01865 783111
Postal Address: Social and Health Care team, PO Box 780, Oxford, OX1 9GX
Email: socialandhealthcare@oxfordshire.gov.uk
Out of hours emergency: 0800 833408 (freephone)
All of the Domestic Abuse services in Oxfordshire are available to anyone
Dial UK:
Refers callers to their local service which can offer information on a wide range of disability issues for people with disabilities, their carers and professionals.
Helpline 01302 310 123, Monday - Thursday 9am - 5pm; Friday 9am - 4pm.
Email: enquiries@DIALuk.org.uk
Website: www.dialuk.org.uk
UK Disability Forum:
This section of the UK Disability Forum website gives information for disabled women about getting help to tackle violence and abuse.
Website: www.edfwomen.org.uk/abuse.htm
Disability Alliance:
Disability Alliance is the leading authority on social security benefits for disabled people, and the website contains regularly updated information about benefits, tax credits and community care.
Website: www.disabilityalliance.org
RNIB helpline:
Information and support for anyone with visual impairment and sight problems.
Tel: 0845 766 9000, Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm.
Email: helpline@rnib.org.uk
Website: www.rnib.org.uk
RNID helpline:
Information service for deaf and hard of hearing people, their carers, families and professionals.
Tel: 0808 808 0123, Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm.
Email: informationline@rnid.org.uk
Website: www.rnid.org.uk
United Kingdom Disabled People's Council (UKDCP)
Providing information and advice on key issues that impact on disabled people's lives.
Tel: 01244 346460
Website: www.ukdpc.net
Voice UK
Provides support and information for peoeple with learning difficulties who have been abused, and campaigns for changes in the law. The College Business Centre, Uttoxeter New Road, Derby DE22 3WZ.
Tel: 01332 202555.
Email: voiceuk@clara.net.
Website: www.voiceuk.clara.net
Respond
A registered charity providing advice and support to disabled people with learning difficulties who have been abused.
Helpline: 0808 808 0700.
Email: helpline@respond.org.uk
Website: www.respond.org.uk
Resources
A4 or A3 poster DOWNLOAD
THEME: DISABILITY
Text: He takes me shopping
then takes my money
He takes me to the doctor
then denies me medication...
See also - Leaflet, disability and domestic violence
A4 or A3 poster DOWNLOAD
THEME: DISABILITY
Text: People pity him because he is taking care of you... people are reluctant to criticise this saint or to think he could be doing these terrible things.
See also - Leaflet, disability and domestic violence
- Making the links: Disabled women and domestic violence - full 2008 report (pdf format, 1.9Mb)
- Making the links: Disabled women and domestic violence - 2008 report summary (pdf format.203 Kb)
- Good practice guide (pdf format, 410 Kb)
- Poster 1 'One in twenty women over 85 suffers neglect' (.pdf format, 951 KB)
- Poster 2 '57,000 people over 65 are financially abused by a family member, close friend or care worker' (.pdf format, 952 KB)
- Poster 3 '32% of people with learning disabilities are bullied on a daily or weekly basis' (.pdf format, 951 KB)
- Poster 4 '50% of disabled women suffer domestic abuse' (.pdf format, 951 KB)
- Flyer (.pdf format, 951 KB)
- Oxfordshire Safeguarding Adults - guidance for all staff (.pdf format, 2.5Mb) - handbook
- Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults - What is Adult Abuse? (.pdf format, 135Kb)
- What is Adult Abuse - Easy-read leaflet (.pdf format, 951Kb)
- Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults - information card with contact details (.pdf format, 357Kb
- Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults - handy card with contact numbers (.pdf format, 150Kb)
- Oxfordshire Safeguarding People Board annual report 2008-09 (.pdf format, 2.6Mb)
Help lines
- National helpline
(24 hrs)
0808 2000 247 - Oxfordshire domestic abuse helpline
0800 731 0055 - Police
(non emergency)
101 - Victim support
0845 450 3883 - Kiran Asian
women’s aid
0208 558 1986 - Men's advice line
0808 801 0327 - Broken Rainbow
(LGBT)
020 8539 9507 - Elder abuse
0808 808 8141 - Childline
0800 1111
