safety alertalert exclamation

If you are in danger, please use a safer computer, call 911 or your local hotline or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233 voice), 1-800-787-3224 (tty). There is always a computer trail, but you can click ESCAPE to leave the site quickly.

home>

Understanding Violence

Violence against women is a serious public health issue that affects the physical and emotional health of millions of women, children and men in the United States. Critical to meeting the needs of women with disabilities and Deaf women who have experienced violence is developing an understanding of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking in general and in the context of disability. In addition to understanding the various circumstances of the women who are affected, it is very important to have an awareness of the diverse tactics an abuser, perpetrator or stalker might use to gain power and control over his or her victim, which is the basis for all these crimes. This knowledge will help you better assess the victim/survivor’s safety so she can make informed decisions about her next steps.

In This Section

We provide you with the basic information you will need to begin to more effectively meet the needs of people who have experienced violence. It is not meant to be a replacement for making connections with the organizations and staff in your community who understand violence against women with disabilities. The following information is included for each of the three forms of violence against women - domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking - that are discussed in this section:

  • definitions;
  • statistics;
  • overview of the dynamics and tactics;
  • information on the impacts; and
  • myths and facts.

1Young, M.E., M.A. Nosek, C. Howland, C. Changpong and D. Rintala. “Prevalence of Abuse of Women with Physical Disabilities.” Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 78 (1997).