Healey, L., Humphreys, C. and Howe, K. (2013). Inclusive Domestic Violence Standards: Strategies to improve interventions for women with disabilities? Violence and Victims, 28 (1): 50-68.

Abstract: Women with disabilities experience violence at greater rates than other women, yet their access to domestic violence services is more limited. This limitation is mirrored in domestic violence sector standards, which often fail to include the specific issues for women with disabilities. This article has a dual focus: to outline a set of internationally transferrable standards for inclusive practice with women with disabilities affected by domestic violence; and report on the results of a documentary analysis of domestic violence service standards, codes of practice, and practice guidelines. It draws on the Building the Evidence (BtE) research and advocacy project in Victoria, Australia in which a matrix tool was developed to identify minimum standards to support the inclusion of women with disabilities in existing domestic violence sector standards. This tool is designed to interrogate domestic violence sector standards for their attention to women with disabilities.

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Researchers: Healey, L., Humphreys, C. and Howe, K.

Year: 2013

Healey, L., Howe, K., Humphreys, C. Jennings, C., & Julian, F. (2008). Building the Evidence: A report on the status of policy and practice in responding to violence against women with disabilities in Victoria. Women’s Health Victoria and Victorian Women with Disabilities Network.

Abstract

This report presents research completed for the Victorian Women with Disabilities Network Advocacy Information Service (VWDN AIS). The VWDN AIS is a service developed in partnership between Victorian Women with Disabilities Network (VWDN) and Women’s Health Victoria (WHV). The VWDN is the statewide network of women with disabilities which represents key issues of concern to women with disabilities in Victoria. The WHV is the statewide women’s health service, which advocates for women and works with other organisations for better health outcomes for women. VWDN AIS invited the Alfred Felton Research Program at The University of Melbourne and the Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria (DVRCV) as strategic partners in this research.2 The purpose of the research was to analyse the extent to which current Victorian family violence policy and practice recognises and provides for women with disabilities who experience violence. Research was conducted from December 2007 to June 2008.