Disabled women denied vital services

The study “Disabled Women and Domestic Violence as Violent Crime” by Jill Radford, Lynne Harne and Joy Trotter, is featured in December 2006’s special issue of Practice, a journal of the British Association of Social Workers (Routledge, Taylor and Francis). According to this study, urgent work is needed to address the needs of disabled women suffering domestic violence.

The study “Disabled Women and Domestic Violence as Violent Crime” by Jill Radford, Lynne Harne and Joy Trotter, is featured in December 2006’s special issue of Practice, a journal of the British Association of Social Workers (Routledge, Taylor and Francis). According to this study, urgent work is needed to address the needs of disabled women suffering domestic violence.

Professor Jill Radford, Director for the Study of Gender Violence and Gender Justice, says: “Agencies need to recognise the problem exists, and the Government and local authorities must provide leadership, clarity and joined-up thinking to ensure vital, sometimes life-saving services are delivered effectively. At Teesside, as a result of this study, we have held a conference for both disability and domestic violence agencies - to raise awareness of the issues and get them to recognise that the problem exists, so that they can establish ways to address it. This might involve improved training, sharing ideas and best practice, and further research. Communication is key - we are looking at how we can improve the provision of information to disabled women about what help is available, particularly through the internet or radio. But we have to recognise that the needs of disabled women vary widely and no single solution will work for everyone.”

Practice Editor, Brian Williams explained: “The needs of victims, survivors and witnesses of crime and abuse have risen up the political agenda in the UK in recent years. Given the imminence of the obligation of all public authorities to implement the Disability Equality Duty introduced by the Disability Discrimination Act 2005, which came into force in December 2006, this is a timely article and one which ought to command widespread attention.”

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More about the Section for the Study of Gender Violence and Gender Justice