Women with disability are at high risk of experiencing domestic and family violence. Women with disability are almost twice as likely as women without disability.
People with Disabilities Australia (PWDA) and Domestic Violence NSW (DVNSW) have created the Women with Disability and Domestic and Family Violence: A Guide for Policy and Practice.
According to a 2021 Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) disability and violence report, women with disability are almost twice as likely as women without disability to have experienced physical or sexual violence by a cohabiting partner over a 12-month period (2.5 per cent compared with 1.3 per cent) (ABS 2021). The likelihood of emotional abuse by a cohabiting partner is also significantly increased (6.3 per cent compared with 4.1 per cent).
Women with Disability and Domestic and Family Violence: A Guide for Policy and Practice addresses the barriers such as access, and their recommendations.
Domestic Violence New South Wales (DVNSW) is an independent, non-government peak organisation that provides a representative and advocacy function for specialist domestic and family violence services.
