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We value and celebrate difference. Yet, many in our community have experienced violence due to their gender or sex. Violence against women, girls and gender-diverse people is also known as gender-based violence.
Gender-based violence can affect:
Women with disabilities are more likely to experience gender-based violence than any other group of people.
Women with disabilities experience more:
Violence is never okay. Partners and supporters should not hurt you. No one should. If you are experiencing abuse, help is available. Please reach out today.
Gender-based violence can happen anywhere. It could be at:
The violence can come from people like:
Gender-based violence includes sexual, physical, verbal and psychological (emotional) violence. You can read more about types of violence and abuse in the Neve section Violence and abuse (internal link).
For people with disabilities, gender-based violence can be overt, like being hit, kicked or sexually assaulted by an intimate partner or carer. Or, the violence can be covert, like doctors doing medical procedures or giving you medications you don't want without your consent.
Other examples of gender-based violence include:
The first thing to do is to make sure you are safe. Look after your body and your emotions. If you are in danger, go somewhere safe. Seek medical attention if you need it.
Then, take a deep breath. We're sorry you've had to deal with this. We hope the situation gets better. We know that experiencing violence or abuse can be confusing, intimidating, and stressful. People may try to make you believe it is your fault. Sometimes, leaving the situation is hard.
Remember that you are never to blame for bad behaviour. What happened to you is not your fault.
Here is a list of things you could do if you’ve faced gender-based violence. You should choose the options that are right for you.
Having a disability can make it harder to escape violence and abuse. Limited mobility or social isolation might make it harder to get help. Moving out or getting away from the person who hurts you can seem impossible when money is in short supply. However, help is available.
Even if the person who hurt you is important to you, you can still get help. Many people are hurt by someone they know. It may be an intimate partner, a parent or carer, or someone else in authority, such as a health worker or service provider. You don't have to go to the police if you don't want to. Either way, support is available to keep you safe and help you recover.
The United Nations Women website lists 10 things we can do to tackle this problem together.
You can read more about these positive steps On the United Nations Women website (external link).
Quinn’s stepdad, Riki, believes Quinn should marry and become a housewife because “that’s what women do”. Quinn tells her family she does not want to get married. Riki yells at Quinn and hits her when she says she doesn’t want to become a housewife. He says that because of her disability she won’t have any other options and that she will never get a job anyway. Quinn inherits money from her grandparents but Riki won't let her have it until she marries. He won't let Quinn go to university, either. This is gender-based violence.
This section provides information about helplines - telephone and text services that offer help when you need it. Helplines can give you advice, understanding and links to practical support. Here, you can learn to choose a service that meets your needs and prepare for the call. We also share a list of helplines across Australia. If you have an emergency, call 000 (triple zero) to speak to the police or ambulance.
Find out moreYou might need somewhere safe to stay or money to change the locks on your house. Perhaps you want to talk to a kind and caring person. Whatever you need, support is available when you've experienced violence or abuse. Some services focus on helping people with disability. Here, we share resources to help you build a safer, healthier life.
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May 13, 2024
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Patricia Giles Centre for Non-Violence
A guide for women with disability experiencing family and domestic violence.
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May 13, 2024
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Patricia Giles Centre for Non-Violence
A guide for women with disability and mothers of children with disability who have experience of family and domestic violence.
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May 4, 2024
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1800 RESPECT
If you are going to leave a relationship, deciding what to take with you is an important step in creating a safety plan. This checklist helps you plan what you may need to take if you need to leave.
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