Intersection of Disability, Diversity, and Domestic Violence: Results of National Focus Groups

• NCJ Number: 226487
• Journal: Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment &Trauma Volume: 18 Issue: 2 Dated: March 2009 Pages: 133-152
• Author(s): Elizabeth Lightfoot; Oliver Williams
• Date Published: March 2009
• Length: 20 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Results are presented from a study which explored the unique issues faced by people with physical and sensory disabilities in accessing help for domestic violence, with emphasis on the experiences of people of color with disabilities, explored the programmatic preferences of people of color with disabilities in seeking help in regards to domestic violence, and assessed the cultural competence, disability awareness, and domestic violence awareness of domestic violence service providers and disability organizations.

Abstract

The results of the focus groups indicate that both people with disabilities and people of color with disabilities face unique issues related to domestic violence. In general, people with disabilities have some unique experiences in accessing help for domestic violence in comparison with people without disabilities including a lack of accessible services, differing manifestations of abuse, isolation, negative attitudes toward people with disabilities, and, for deaf and hard of healing people, living within a small, tight-knit community. The results provide some direction on providing culturally appropriate domestic violence services for people of color with disabilities, both through increasing the cultural competence and domestic violence awareness of disability agencies. In addition, domestic violence service providers would benefit from increased training on disability issues. Women of color and women with disabilities both have unique experiences of domestic violence and distinct needs for services and outreach. Women of color with disabilities who experience domestic violence represent another unique group that requires distinctive services; however, this population has received almost no attention in research or service provision. This article describes the results from two focus groups comprised of expert informants whose purpose is to gain an initial understanding about the differing needs of people of color with physical and sensory disabilities in regards to issues related to domestic violence. Table and references