Cuan Saor Womens Refuge supporting and changing lives

 Help for people with Disabilities

Anyone can be affected by domestic violence and abuse, but people with disabilities are more likely to experience abuse than people without disabilities. Because abuse is about power and control, people with disabilities may face unique challenges and barriers to accessing support.

Cuan Saor can support women and children in accessing disability organisations and set up a support team relevant to them.

Domestic violence can intersect with disability in four key ways:

• Domestic violence can cause temporary or permanent disability;
• People with disabilities experience higher rates of domestic violence, sexual assault and abuse;
• Violence, assault and abuse against a person with a disability often take on non-“traditional” forms; and
• People with disabilities face additional barriers when seeking help.

The red flags of abuse are the same for everyone, but a person with disabilities may experience non-”traditional” signs, including an abusive partner who:

• Tells them that they are “not allowed” to have a pain flare up
• Steals or withholds their Social Security Disability cheque
• Tells them that they are a bad parent or could never be a parent because they have a disability
• Uses their disability to shame or humiliate them
• Refuses to help them use the bathroom or complete necessary life tasks when they had previously agreed to
• Withholds or threatens to withhold medication; purposefully over-medicates them or mixes medications in a dangerous/non-prescribed way
• Instigates sexual activity when they know their partner is not capable of consenting
• Withholds, damages or breaks assistive devices
• Does not allow them to see a doctor
• Threatens to “out” their disability to others (for example, someone who is HIV-positive may not wish to disclose their status, and their abusive partner will use their status to control them)
• Threatens to harm or harms their service animal
• Uses a disability as an excuse for the abuse; tells them that they “deserve” abuse because of their disability
• Someone could try convince them they are doing a bad job as a parent when they are the parent or guardian of someone with a disability and threatens to inform a social worker that they are not coping.

Cuan Saor Womens Refuge supporting and changing lives

All services are free and confidential.

Simply dial the Freephone helpline 1800 576757 to access the service and a trained member of staff will listen and provide support and information and explain other aspects of services we provide. This service is available 24/7 365 days a year.

24 hour helpline 1800 57 67 57         Email support@cuansaor.org

Cuan Saor Womens Refuge supporting and changing lives

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24 Hour Helpline 1800 57 67 57