Hidden voices: disabled women's experiences of violence and support over the lifecourse

Shah, S., Tsitou, L. and Woodin, S. (2016) Hidden voices: disabled women's experiences of violence and support over the lifecourse. Violence Against Women, 22(10), pp. 1189-1210. (doi: 10.1177/1077801215622577) (PMID:26762144)

Abstract

Violence against women is a worldwide social and human rights problem that cuts across cultural, geographic, religious, social, and economic boundaries. It affects women in countries around the world, regardless of class, religion, disability, age, or sexual identity. International evidence shows that approximately three in five women experienced physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner. However, across the globe, women and girls with impairments or life-limiting illnesses are more susceptible to different forms of violence across a range of environments and by different perpetrators including professionals and family members as well as partners. However, they are likely to be seriously disadvantaged in gaining information and support to escape the abusive relationships. This article stems from the United Kingdom part of a comparative study with three other countries (Austria, Germany, and Iceland) funded by the European Commission (EC; 2013-2015). It presents preliminary findings, generated from life history interviews, about disabled women’s experiences of violence and access to support (both formal and informal) over their life course and their aspirations for the prevention of violence in the future. The article includes examples of impairment-specific violence that non-disabled women do not experience. By bringing the voices of disabled women into the public domain, the article will facilitate a historically marginalized group to contribute to the debate about disability, violence, and support.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Shah, Dr Sonali
• Authors: Shah, S., Tsitou, L., and Woodin, S.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Social Scientists working in Health and Wellbeing; College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Sociology Anthropology and Applied Social Sciences
• Journal Name: Violence Against Women
• Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd.
• ISSN: 1077-8012
• ISSN (Online): 1552-8448
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2016 SAGE
• First Published: First published in Violence Against Women 22(10): 1189-1210
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher