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Preventing and Responding to Violence Against Women with Disabilities
Prevention and Response Resources
If you are experiencing family violence and are in a crisis situation, please call Victoria Police on 000. For counselling and support, please call 1800 Respect (1800 737 732) or Safe Steps on 1800 015 188. Alternatively, please see our attached referral pathways sheet for information on specialist services for Indigenous, LGBTQI+ and culturally or linguistically diverse women.
Preventing and Responding to Violence Against Women with Disabilities: Family Violence and Disability Films.
What are the films about?
Women with Disabilities Victoria has collaborated with National Disability Services to develop four short films for disability workers on family violence and disability. The films are:
• Preventing and responding to family violence
• Prevention of domestic and family violence
• Early intervention in domestic and family violence
• Responding to domestic and family violence
Why develop these films?
The purpose of the films is to help disability workers identify and respond to family violence. Research shows that people with disabilities experience higher rates of violence than people without disabilities. Women with disabilities in particular experience very high rates of family and domestic violence. The disability workforce has a vital role to play in preventing, identifying and responding to domestic and family violence.
Are the films accessible?
The films model best practice in accessibility. One version has an Auslan interpreter and subtitles. A second version of each film is audio described.
Watch the Films
This film provides an overview of domestic family violence and introduces the three other films. The films use scenarios to assist disability workers to identify, understand, prevent and appropriately respond to domestic family violence.
Research shows people with disabilities experience higher rates of violence than people without disabilities. Women with disabilities experience very high rates of domestic and family violence.
Preventing and Responding to Family Violence Guide
Watch the AUSLAN version of Film 1
Watch the Audio-Described version of Film 1
Early intervention means understanding who is at risk of family violence and doing things to support them to be safe, before violence happens.
This film focuses on how to respond to family violence experienced by women with disabilities. When you are working with a woman who is experiencing family violence, safety is a priority. It is essential to get advice so your actions don’t increase the risk of harm for the person you are supporting. Talk to your organisation and make sure you understand your professional and legal obligations.
Prevention Resources
WDV Workforce Development Program on Gender and Disability – Training Information
Working towards Gender and Disability Equality Workbook
10 Actions to be a Gender and Disability Equitable Organisation
Facts on Violence Against Women with Disability Infographic (PDF Version)
Facts on Violence Against Women with Disability Infographic (Microsoft Word Version)
Facts on Violence Against Women with Disability Infographic Sources (PDF Version)
Action Planning for Disability Support Workers
Why focus on violence against women with disabilities: A self-guided activity for workers
Intersectionality Resource
Challenging Condoning of Violence resource (Microsoft Word version)
Challenging Condoning of Violence resource (PDF version)
Driver: Condoning of Violence Against Women with Disabilities
Take Action: Challenge the Condoning of Violence Against Women with Disabilities (PDF version)
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