‘No More Excuses’ – Primary Prevention of Violence Against Women with Disability

Building the evidence to prevent violence against women with disability.
Commissioned by Respect Victoria
Conducted by University of Melbourne
Date March 2022

Overview

This project consolidates the current state of knowledge on the extent and nature of violence against women with disability in Australia, and on what works to prevent violence from happening in the first place. The research team used a co-design approach and worked alongside women with disability to identify priority settings for primary prevention action.

This final report brings together key findings from:

  • analyses of data from the Personal Safety Survey and a review of the international literature on effective and promising practices in primary prevention
  • a series of in-depth workshops with women with disability to identify priority settings for intervention
  • a study testing the feasibility of embedding primary prevention initiatives in the disability support workforce in Victoria.

Key findings

Nationally, 1 in 3 women with disability report at least one incident of violence since the age of 15. Action to prevent violence against women with disabilities

  • Women with disability in Australia continue to experience high rates of violence. Violence against women with disability is primarily driven by ableism and sexism, with other intersecting factors coming into play depending on individual experience.
  • The disability support workforce has a unique opportunity to play a significant role in challenging the drivers of violence against women with disability. By investing in and supporting workers, they can foster social inclusion, support independence, and ensure the agency of women with disability is upheld.
  • Women and girls with disability must be afforded a central role in designing and delivering initiatives to prevent violence against women. The agency and independence of women with disability must be central to any efforts to prevent violence against them.

Full report


Associated fact sheets


Online forum