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Violence can happen at home, at work, online, in public and in intimate relationships. It can be physical, sexual, emotional or financial. It is not always easy to see. Learning about violence can help us keep ourselves and others safe. This article shares information about different types of violence. It aims to help the supporters of people with disabilities recognise and prevent harm.
If you support a person with a disabilities, it is crucial to learn about violence. Women and girls with disabilities are twice as likely to experience violence as other people.
Violence can make people feel isolated, ashamed and confused. It can have bad consequences that last for a long time. By learning about violence, you can help keep the person you support safe.
When you read this information, you might recognise yourself in it. You might think, "I've done that." If that happens, please stop the behaviour and seek help. People with disabilities deserve to be safe. Like everyone else, they deserve to live free from fear and harm.
Supporting someone who has experienced violence is challenging. Remember to look after yourself if you're going through a tough time as a supporter.
Abuse through technology is when one person uses mobile, online or digital technology to control or scare another. It includes harassment online and over the phone and digital stalking and monitoring. You can learn more about this on the Neve page Abuse through technology (internal link).
Coercive control happens when one person often dominates and controls another. If a person you support often feels guilty or seems afraid to make their own choices, they may be experiencing coercive control. Another sign of coercive control is isolation, like never seeing family and friends. You can learn more about this on the Neve page Coercive control (internal link).
Cultural and spiritual abuse happens when one person has a pattern of using cultural and spiritual beliefs to shame, criticise or control someone else. For example, they might stop someone from practising their religion. They might mock or criticise someone because of how they dress. You can learn more about this on the Neve page Violence or abuse because of your beliefs or culture (internal link).
Domestic and family violence is a pattern of abuse in an intimate or family relationship. For people with disabilities, it could be a supporter who is violent. In Australia, around 1 in 6 women have experienced violence by a current or former partner. We know these rates are higher for women with disabilities. You can learn more about this on the Neve page Domestic and family violence (internal link).
Emotional violence and abuse happen when someone often insults and criticises another person. It can include yelling, threats, name-calling, guilt and shame. You can learn more about this on the Neve page Emotional violence or abuse (internal link).
Financial abuse is a form of violence that involves controlling or using a person's financial resources. For example, it could be taking someone's Disability Support Pension. It could be ignoring their wishes about how they want to spend their money. You can learn more about this on the Neve page Financial violence or abuse (internal link).
Gender-based violence is against women, girls, feminine identifying, and non-binary people. It includes sexual, physical, verbal and emotional violence. It includes coercive control. You can learn more about this on the Neve page Gender-based violence (internal link).
Microaggressions are small statements, actions, or incidents that convey negative messages about a group of people, such as women or people with disabilities. You can learn more about this on the Neve page Microaggressions (internal link).
Physical violence and abuse happen when one person deliberately causes pain to another or takes away control of their body. It includes stopping a person with disabilities from using the medicine or supports they need to live their life. You can learn more about this on the Neve page Physical violence and abuse (internal link).
Stalking and harassment involve following, watching or monitoring a person or the places where that person often goes, like home, work or social spaces. They are crimes that affect victims' sense of safety, control and peace of mind. You can learn more about this on the Neve page Stalking and harassment (internal link).
Sexual assault and abuse occur when one person forces or tricks another person to have unwanted sexual contact. Unwanted touching, genital exposure (also known as flashing) and rape are all forms of sexual violence. You can learn more about this on the Neve page Sexual assault and abuse (internal link).
Sexual harassment is unwanted sexual behaviour that causes someone to feel uncomfortable, offended or afraid. It can include jokes, compliments, questions, insults and sexual emails or text messages. It is against the law in Australia. You can learn more about this on the Neve page Sexual harassment (internal link).
Intimate partner sexual violence happens when a wife, husband, boyfriend or girlfriend forces, tricks or threatens their partner into having sex or doing sexual things. It is a type of domestic and family violence. You can learn more about this on the Neve page Intimate partner sexual violence (internal link).
This section of the website focuses on your safety. It has information to help you decide if a relationship is abusive. It shares tools to be safer in a violent situation. It talks about planning for a safer future, like if you leave violence behind. We also share tips to be safe online.
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