Summary
Theoretical understanding of abuse and its course of events The first chapter of this report describes the theoretical understanding of abuse against women with disabilities. There are several theoretical approaches that may all contribute to our understanding of abuse of this group of women. Two of these approaches are presented in this study. The first one is the criminological approach with emphasis on victimological terms, such as “multiple victimization”, “repeated victimization” and “lifetime victimization”. The second one is the intersectional approach with emphasis on the power imbalance in abusive relationships and on how social dimensions of power such as gender, age and disability influence each other in a mutual interaction. In addition, two models of the process of abuse of women with disabilities are presented. This process is divided into different phases until the abusive relationship is finally brought to an end permanently or temporarily. This course of events differs from the general cycle of partner violence against women, which is usually terminated with a last phase called the “honeymoon”. We, therefore, need more studies on why the process of abuse varies from one group of abused women to another.
Extent of abuse
The second chapter deals with the prevalence of abuse against women with disabilities. The earliest prevalence studies indicated that the extent of abuse of women with disabilities was just as big as or bigger than of women without disabilities. We, therefore, asked the question whether this was still correct. Recent prevalence studies indicate that the extent of abuse of women with disabilities is just as big as or bigger possibly bigger than of women without disabilities, in particular, if we include abuse in care settings.
At the same time the same prevalence studies point out some characteristics regarding abuse of women with disabilities. The first characteristics is that abuse of women with disabilities seems to last longer than abuse of women in general. The second is that this group of women may be more subjected to certain types of abuse than other women, and the third characteristics is that women with certain types of disabilities may be more exposed to abuse than women with other types of impairments. Even though several prevalence studies on abuse of women with disabilities have been published lately, the number of studies is still limited. The design of the studies also vary so much that it is a challenge to compare the results and to draw any clear conclusions.
Social context of the abuse
The third chapter deals with the social context of the abuse of women with disabilities. Qualitative studies referred to in this chapter indicate that women with disabilities are exposed to all types of abuse like women in general, and that they are more exposed to institutional abuse for example from employees in the care sector. Furthermore, women with disabilities are exposed to abuse from all types of abusers, even though most of the abuse is committed by persons close to them or by people they depend on. Since most of the abuse happens at home, it is on this arena in particular that qualitative studies have had their focus. There is, however, a need for a greater focus on other arenas like the work place, the arenas of leisure and within the caring system. The research literature has also had little focus on the time perspective of the abuse, which is of importance to the consequences of the abuse of the women. Retrospective in-depth studies document abuse in all life phases. Some of the prevalence studies indicate that women with disabilities experience more long-term abusive relationships than other abused women. The studies also indicate that the consequences of the abuse range from no self-reported consequences to suicide attempts. Especially physical and sexual abuse early in life and abuse of long duration seem to have serious consequences. Furthermore, the studies indicate that the women to a varying degree sought help from family, friends or professionals. Many of the abused women with disabilities had not sought or received any help. Whether this is because they do not need help, or because they do not have access to help is unclear and should be studied further.
Measures against abuse
The fourth chapter deals with measures for women with disabilities exposed to violence. Since the UN women conference in 1995, many initiatives have been made on a superior political level in the form of resolutions, recommendations, operating plans, and economic support has been given to study and development work which has been important to make visible the abuse of women with disabilities. The Europe Council and the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention have both published reports on concrete measures at different stages and levels and aimed at different target groups.
Municipalities have an important responsibility for first line services to everybody that experiences violence and abuse. Former studies have, however, indicated that only some municipalities have implemented measures especially for this group of women. Women’s shelters are central in providing help to all women exposed to violence. Studies have indicated that not all shelters are accessible to women with disabilities, and work is going on to better this. The Act relating to Municipal Crisis Centre Services (Crisis Centre Act) entered into force January 1st 2010. According to this law the municipality shall ensure the provision of a good comprehensive crisis centre service to all persons who are subjected to abuse or threats of abuse, and who need counseling or safe, temporary accommodation. This also includes an individual provision and a coordination of the measures aimed at abused women with disabilities.
A limited interest in the problems of abuse in women’s own interest organizations resulted in women networks being formed in all the Scandinavian countries. These networks have to a large extent contributed to putting the theme of abuse against women with disabilities on the agenda and also to initiate specific measures. There is still a need for support to women networks, at the same time as it is important to encourage the interest organizations to take an interest in the theme. An important measure that should be considered is the creation of a national hotline for women with disabilities similar to the ones in Sweden and Denmark and similar to the one for the abused elderly in Norway.
Discussion and recommendations
In the last chapter there is a specific focus on the scarcity of knowledge and of concrete recommendations for measures. Some of these recommendations include firstly, that we need more specific knowledge that can make visible the characteristics of abuse of women with disabilities and secondly, that we need more comparative studies of the extent of abuse of women with and without disabilities, between women with various impairments and between women and men with the same impairments. Thirdly, it is recommended that we focus not only on abuse in close relations, but also on abuse on other arenas and especially in the care sector, at the same time as we focus more on the accumulated effect of repeated and long-term abuse. Finally, a mapping of needs and existing measures in municipalities and in women’s shelters is recommended, and how these measures function for women with disabilities after the implementation of the Crisis Centre Act of January 1st 2010.