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Access to specialised victim support services for women with disabilities who have experienced violence. Comparative Research Report: Austria, Germany, Iceland and United Kingdom
- Authors:
- WOODIN Sarah, SHAH Sonali
- Publisher:
- University of Leeds. Centre for Disability Studies
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 59
- Place of publication:
- Leeds
This comparative report presents the results of research into violence against women with disabilities for the project 'Access to specialised victim support services for women with disabilities who have experienced violence', which was funded by the EU Daphne III programme. It is based on research which took place in Austria, Germany, Iceland and United Kingdom between 2013 and 2014 and involved 187 women with disabilities (106 women in focus groups and 81 women in individual interviews). The research included women with mobility and sensory impairments, women with intellectual impairments, women with mental health conditions and women with multiple impairments. Specialised service providers assisting women who have experienced violence also took part in this study (602 responses to an online survey and 54 individual interviews with representatives from services). Research findings are discussed in the following areas: perceptions and understanding of violence; experiences of violence and support over the life course; women's knowledge about their rights; knowledge about use of services; experience of barriers; helpful aspects of support. Suggestions for improvement and good practice are also included. The report highlights the need for support services that recognise the type and extent of violence against disabled women need to be developed, and for both mainstream and specialised strategies to be pursued. (Edited publisher abstract)
Access to specialised victim support services for women with disabilities who have experienced violence. National report United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- Authors:
- WOODIN Sarah, SHAH Sonali, TSITSOU Lito
- Publisher:
- University of Leeds. Centre for Disability Studies
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 73
- Place of publication:
- Leeds
This report sets out the UK strand of an international study funded as part of the Daphne III programme by the European Commission to investigate violence against disabled women and their access to specialised women’s support services. It reports on the findings generated from life history interviews with 16 disabled women and focus groups conducted with 29 disabled women from different parts of the UK. It also includes evidence from interviews with service providers and their perspectives on the subject of access to support for disabled women with an experience of violence. The results of a national survey of providers of services to women who have experienced violence are also discussed. The report covers violence in its broadest sense, and includes physical, sexual, psychological and financial abuse; domestic violence, rape, sexual harassment, forced marriage; ‘honour’ killings and genital mutilation. The research found that disabled women had a very limited awareness of their rights in relation to violence. Women had also poor access services and a limited knowledge of possible sources of support and links to outside assistance easily severed by perpetrators. D/deaf women faced particular problems reporting abuse due to small and close social networks that meant interpreters often knew the people involved. Women with sensory and speech impairments and women with mobility impairments were particularly poorly served by mainstream services. The report concludes that disabled women faced considerable barriers to securing assistance compared with non-disabled women. Although some did receive assistance, the way that services were delivered and the overall availability militated against the possibility of easy access to help. (Edited publisher abstract)