NCJ Number
188028
Journal
Violence Against Women Volume: 7 Issue: 4 Dated: April 2001 Pages: 418-431
Date Published
April 2001
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This article presents a conceptual analysis of the abuse of disabled women and discusses assessment procedures that can assist in identifying such abuse and informing service delivery.
Abstract
As a conceptual foundation for an assessment model for abused disabled women, the authors reviewed literature on disability and abuse, as well as functional assessment. The model proposes assessment as a process with three elements: traditional evaluation based on the Power and Control Wheel (Domestic Abuse Intervention Project); functional capacity risk and abuse assessment; and heterogeneity assessment. Both functional capacity to identify the risk context for abuse and heterogeneity must be considered in all assessment procedures; therefore, the functional assessment model proposed provides a solid general framework through which to approach the assessment process. This model is a beginning step in theory generation and service provision in the population of women with disabilities through an assessment protocol that goes beyond traditional theory and practice. Functional assessment adds the dimension of vulnerability related to disability to the assessment of abuse risk and experience. Moreover, the assessment protocol includes a focus on heterogeneity through the selection and synthesis of elements that are flexible and designed to be modified for cultural, social, and disability sensitivity. 19 references