Disability and Domestic Abuse in Lockdown

Cases of domestic abuse have sadly risen over the last year, with several lockdowns causing many victims to be trapped at home with their abusers. For disabled victims, it’s likely that lockdown has brought extra challenges, especially if victims have had to shield themselves because they’re medically vulnerable.

As our contact with friends and family was reduced or outright stopped, victims have been left with no one to confide in, and the lack of face-to-face contact has meant that any noticeable signs of abuse could have been missed.

According to Women’s Aid, disabled women are three times more likely to experience domestic abuse and more likely to experience other forms of abuse in their lifetime, compared to non-disabled women.

The statistics are also higher for children, with UNICEF reporting that disabled children are more likely to experience sexual violence compared to non-disabled children.

Why are Disabled People more at Risk of Abuse?

There are a few reasons why a disabled person may end up more at risk of being abused. If they have a physical disability, this can make it harder for them to defend themselves. A person with a learning difficulty on the other hand might not understand that they’re being abused or know how to express themselves if they are.

Some people with disabilities may also have a smaller network of friends and family, which can be due to exclusion or stigma discrimination. This can unfortunately mean that they’ve often got less people to turn to and get support from if they’re being abused.

For those who need professional care and support, from a personal care assistant for example, this can place them at further risk of abuse if the carer takes advantage of their position of power, knowing that the disabled person is reliant on them.