Type:	Journal Article
Title:	Access to injustice?: domestic violence and women with intellectual disabilities in Australia
Other Titles:	Polemic
Authors:	Robinson, Sally Lawrence, Anne E
Keywords:	Disability
Population:	People with disability
Categories:	Victims / Survivors
Year:	1997
Publisher:	Sydney University Law Society
Citation:	8 (1)
Notes:	This article briefly explores the issue of domestic violence amongst women with disabilities. It outlines the statistical data relating to the large number of women with disabilities who are victims of domestic violence and the problems faced by these victims. Women with disabilities, specifically intellectual disabilities, living in institutions, hostels or group homes, who experience violence are often not viewed as domestic violence victims as the perpetrator is not a family member or partner but a worker or person with a disability living with them. Argues that there is an urgent need for victims living in these arrangements to be recognised as victims of domestic violence. This is because, although the violence is not occurring in a traditional domestic environment such as their family home, it is occurring in what is understood to be their domestic environment. Discusses the lack of such domestic violence being reported and suggests that there are several reasons for this: to protect the offending worker or carer; to protect the disabled perpetrator from harsh sentencing, which is generally an ineffective answer to the problem, causing the victim further violence or suffering; and not recognising violence experienced by people with disabilities as domestic violence. Recommends that generic services need to reach out and make contact with people with disabilities in the community, particularly those with intellectual disabilities, and that the wider community needs to be made aware of the safety of women with disabilities.
URI:	https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/13262
ISSN:	10369503
Appears in Collections:	Journal Articles

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