Type:	Journal Article
Title:	The use of sole occupancy orders in supporting women with disabilities
Other Titles:	DVIRC Quarterly
Authors:	Jennings, Chris
Keywords:	Disability;Housing
Population:	People with disability
Year:	2007
Publisher:	Domestic Violence & Incest Resource Centre
Citation:	4, Summer 2007
Notes:	Overview: This Australian article is based on a presentation given by Chris Jennings at the Taking Back the Castle Forum:hosted by the Australian Domestic & Family Violence Clearinghouse in August 2007. In this article, Jennings describes the difficulties facing women with disabilities who are also living with domestic violence. Sole occupancy orders (also referred to as exclusion orders or ouster orders) are put forward as a valuable option in this situation. Discussion: The consequences of domestic violence and resultant homelessness are traumatic for anyone going through the experience but for women with physical, intellectual and psychiatric disabilities, there are even greater difficulties in finding alternative housing. Such women are often financially dependent on the perpetrator, live close to support services, reside in disability-modified homes and rely on the perpetrator to be their principal carer as well. For women with children with a disability, there is an additional barrier of alternative (crisis) housing being too disruptive for children. Additionally, there is an urgent need to address the difficulties faced by women with disabilities in accessing the criminal justice system. These women face more barriers than other women, and a body of research has shown that gender-based social inequality already restricts women’s access to the legal system. The author suggests that discussions in leading practice must include how best to support women in accessing the system.
URI:	https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/12648
ISSN:	1324-4264
Appears in Collections:	Journal Articles

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