Our Watch and Women with Disabilities Victoria are calling for urgent action to end violence against women and girls with disabilities, with 65% of Australian women with a disability having experienced violence.
Challenging ableist attitudes that women and girls with disabilities are ‘vulnerable’, ‘incapable,’ or ‘child-like’, alongside rejecting sexist attitudes are two of the key actions to ending the high rates of violence and abuse experienced by women and girls with disabilities.
This evidence-based resource Changing the Landscape released by Our Watch and Women with Disabilities Victoria today shows that Australian women and girls with disabilities experience all forms of violence at higher rates, including being twice as likely to experience physical and sexual violence compared to women and girls without disabilities. But the resource also shows that violence is preventable, not inevitable.
Changing the Landscape reveals that sexism and ableism contribute to the shockingly high levels of violence experienced by women and girls with disabilities. Gender inequality and ableism play out across all aspects of Australian society, including medical and disability services, workplaces, schools, governments and communities. This resource is included as a recommendation for the Disability Royal Commission to draw on, as part of Our Watch’s submission into the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability.
Our Watch CEO Patty Kinnersly said we all must play our part in stopping this violence before it inflicts harm on women and girls with disabilities, their families and communities.
“This is not a problem just for the disability community, it is everyone’s problem, and we all must be part of the solution – to end this pervasive and unacceptable abuse.
“Violence against women and girls with disabilities is not perpetrated by a ‘few bad apples,’ it looks like street harassment, controlling behaviours by paid and unpaid carers, doctors and policy-makers taking away reproductive choices, and institutional violence.
“The evidence shows that by addressing sexist and ableist attitudes, practices and structures we can stop violence against women and girls with disabilities before it starts.
“It means challenging ableist attitudes – such as the belief women and girls with disabilities need to be protected or excusing a carer’s abuse because they are ‘burnt-out.”
“It means workplaces championing equality and increasing the number of women with disabilities in leadership roles, schools being accessible and inclusive, and media amplifying the voices and stories of women and girls with disabilities.
“This is not just about ending the high rates of violence against women and girls with disabilities, but also about building a society where all women are valued, respected and have equal rights and opportunities,” Ms Kinnersly said.
Women with Disabilities Victoria CEO, Nadia Mattiazzo said the resource was developed through intensive consultation with people from around Australia – who shared their professional and personal stories.
“Violence and discrimination are huge experiences in our lives. That is why our organisation has dedicated attention to preventing them.
“It is a reminder how disability and gender discrimination impact every part of this country and take many forms, especially when they combine with colonisation, racism and other forms of discrimination.
“We are pleased to be advancing the need for a national focus alongside Our Watch, the national organisation to prevent violence against women and their children. We are hopeful to see government and community service action spring from this resource,” Ms Mattiazzo said.
