Violence against women with disabilities

• Main Author: Dimitrijević Jelena
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Victimology Society of Serbia and Prometej-Beograd 2010-01-01
• Series: Temida
• Subjects: violence; women; disability; victim support
• Online Access: http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/1450-6637/2010/1450-66371002035D.pdf

Research have shown that women with disabilities are among the most vulnerable members of our society. Also, research suggested that they are at the same or higher risk of victimization by psychological/ emotional, physical and sexual violence in comparison to women without disabilities. Often perceived as 'easy' target, they easily become victims of violence commited by strangers, but also by persons on whom they physically, emotionally or economically depend: husbands/ intimate partners, family members, friends, acquaintances, caregivers and the institution staff in which they have treatment and/or rehabilitation. Frequently, violence is repeated, while women, who are revictimized more than once, often for years, remain alone. Institutions and organizations which should offer help and support to victims of violence and crime in general, usually fail to respond effectively to needs of victims with disability. The subject of the paper is violence against women with disabilities, whereas purpose is to point out the scope of violence against women with disabilities in the world and region. The author has explored available research about these topic and in addition to the scope, also presented key characteristics of the violence and capability of mainstream services to respond to needs of women with disabilities who have experienced abuse.