A few points here: I used to work as a housing equality officer for a London Borough in
the late 80's and early 90's.
Part of my work area was with casework and policy of disabled people facing violence because of their impairments and domestic violence. There is a great need for more research in these areas.
The local authority I worked for supported two women's safe refuges. Unfortunately, neither were accessible for disabled women, although I understand from the local Black Sisters group that one has since been made accessible for one disabled woman. I also assisted disabled men facing a similar sort of violence. A number of the victims both male and female had learning difficulties. Women with physical impairments that effected their mobility had to be housed in the unprotected homeless persons unit accomodation. One victim, I supported was 'rehoused' in the next street, her car was easily identified by her husband who then tried to put burning rags through her front door.
Nobody, at this moment in time is going to commit domestic violence against Mike Tyson. Apart from TV or Hollywood drama, people who commit violence against people who cannot fight back. Disabled people, both female and male, are in my opinion, far more likely to become victims of domestic
and sexual violence.
On sexual violence, I understand that one of the good things about the USA is that Rape Crisis Centres in the US support both men and women, in the UK AFAIK there are only a couple that support male victims. Violence is violence, all humans deserve equal support and protection, although the majority of reported victims are women.
Below are some simple policy suggestions:-
All women's refuges to be accessible to all disabled women who are victims of domestic violence.
There is also the need for a number of different types of refuges.
For Older women
For Younger Women
Some Ethnic Minority groups have different food requirements
Some women have different religious needs
The above type of refuges should be applied to Men's safe places as well.
The Department I worked for discovered from a simple survey of some case files 19 reported examples of harassment against disabled people logged as 'Neighbour disputes'.
There needs to be far more safe places for victims of harassment and violence for both men and women.
In support,
Keith
--
War makes people ill.
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