Royal commission told of ‘heartbreaking’ abuse faced by women with disability
Alarming statistics about the violence and abuse experienced by women and girls with disability have been laid bare for a Commonwealth inquiry, including increased reports of strangulation during the pandemic.
Key points:
- Women with disability account for nearly half of all domestic violence victims in Australia
- The inquiry heard violence against Indigenous women and children was at a “national crisis level”
- Australia needs a redress scheme for women who have been forcibly sterilised, the inquiry was told
The disability royal commission was told 90 per cent of women with intellectual disability have experienced sexual abuse.
And women with disability account for nearly half of all domestic violence victims in this country.
Family and domestic violence consultant, Talie Star, said too often women were not believed.
“If you’ve got disabilities, immediately you’re seen as someone who is weak,” Ms Star said.
“If you have an intellectual disability you are immediately written off that you wouldn’t know what you’re doing, you wouldn’t know what you’re saying, you are all mixed up.”
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Royal commission told of ‘heartbreaking’ abuse faced by women with disability – ABC News
