RELATIONSHIP VIOLENCE
As you get older, you may want to date and develop romantic relationships just like your non-disabled peers. Unfortunately, for youth both with and without disabilities, it is possible to connect with the wrong person and become the victim of domestic violence, also called relationship violence. Research shows that people with disabilities, however, have a greater possibility of being abused.
Prevalence
Estimates vary widely regarding the percentage people with disabilities who experience abuse. In a review of several studies, researchers found that estimates were between 40% to 67% for women with disabilities and between 44% to 65% for men with disabilities. The lack of accurate estimates is likely in part due to limitations on who can be recruited for a study and what questions can be asked. In addition, even when studies are conducted, there is often limited participation.
There is also limited abuse reporting, for a variety of reasons. These include victims’ fear of not being believed, misconceptions among some health care providers that people would not abuse individuals with disabilities, and lack of accessible services and supports for victims. Additional concerns include fear of institutionalization if care support is removed, not being involved in care provider selection or having limited provider options.
It is believed that more vigilance on the part of health care providers to speak to individuals with disabilities alone and evaluate them for indicators of abuse is needed to not only gain a better idea of prevalence, but also increase opportunities to stop further abuse.
What is Relationship Violence?
According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, domestic violence (also referred to as Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), dating violence and relationship violence) is a “pattern of behavior used by one partner to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship.” Relationship violence goes beyond physical abuse to include sexual, verbal, emotional and financial abuse.
Relationship violence may also include disability-specific abuse such as disabling medical equipment or assistive technology, leaving someone in a soiled state, refusal to allow medical care and harming a support animal, to name a few examples.
In addition to understanding what relationship violence may look like, it’s important to consider the people with whom you have an interpersonal/intimate relationship, such as personal care attendants and family caregivers. For some youth with disabilities, these individuals may have similar access to your body that an intimate partner would have, since they may provide assistance with bathing, toileting and dressing.
Warning Signs
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services/Office on Women’s Health cites the following as possible warning signs of abuse:
- Suddenly being unable to meet essential day-to-day living needs that affect health, safety or well-being.
- Lack of contact with friends or family.
- Visible handprints or bruising on the face, neck, arms or wrists.
- Burns, cuts or puncture wounds.
- Unexplained sprains, fractures or dislocations.
- Signs of injuries to internal organs, such as vomiting.
- Wearing torn, stained, soiled or bloody clothing.
- Appearing hungry, malnourished, disoriented or confused.
Getting Help
Everyone has the right to have healthy, non-violent, non-abusive relationships. If you or someone you love is in an abusive relationship, please seek help. You can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 (TTY 800-787-3224).
Find a community-based organization
Sources Used to Develop this Section
- Breiding, M.J., Armour, B.S. (2015). The Association Between Disability and Intimate Partner Violence in the United States. Atlanta, GA.
- Powers, L.E., Oschwald, M. (2004) Violence and Abuse Against People with Disabilities: Experiences, Barriers and Prevention Strategies. Oregon: Center for Self-Determination.
- McCarthy, M., Hunt, S., & Milne-Skillman, K. (2017). ‘I Know it was Every Week, but I Can’t be Sure if it was Every Day: Domestic Violence and Women with Learning Disabilities. Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARID, 30(2), 269–282.