To find services or supports you are comfortable with, please visit the helplines and support services page – use a friend’s phone if you think yours is being monitored.
People with disability are more likely to experience family and domestic violence than people without disability in Australia. Getting help and support can also be more challenging.
You may have an intellectual, cognitive, neurological, physical, psychosocial, speech or sensory disability and rely on your carer for daily support. This dependence can make you more vulnerable to violence and abuse.
You might be experiencing family and domestic violence from an intimate partner or family member. The person causing you harm could also be a paid or unpaid carer, staff member, other residents in supported living, or a support worker.
Family and domestic violence does not have to be physical. It can be financial, emotional or psychological abuse, sexual violence or any other behaviour which causes the victim-survivor to live in fear.
No one deserves abuse and abuse is never your fault. Family and domestic violence can make you feel scared, ashamed, and powerless. You might worry about not being able to manage and take care of yourself if you leave your carer. You are not alone. There is help available.
Types of violence people with disability may face
Some of the unique forms of domestic and family violence you may experience as a person with disability, in addition to more familiar forms of family and domestic, include:
- Withholding, or threatening to withhold food, water, medication or care.
- Misusing medication to control or restrain you, or physically restraining you.
- Destroying or withholding disability-related equipment.
- Inappropriate touching during caregiving or forcing you to have sex or do sexual things.
- Reproductive violence, such as forced contraception, sterilisation or abortion.
- Denying or trivialising your disability.
- Humiliating or verbally abusing you.
- Forcing you to sign contracts you don’t fully understand.
- Taking control of your money or not allowing you to buy things you need.
- Neglecting and leaving you at home because helping you get out of the house takes too long.
- Isolating you from your friends, family and support services.
How to recognise family and domestic violence
Barriers to seeking help
You may face unique challenges and risks, such as:
- Feeling ashamed or blaming yourself for the abuse.
- Being isolated and physically not being able to access services.
- Challenges with communication.
- Not recognising if you’re being abused.
- Not knowing what services are available to you.
- Being discriminated against.
- Scared of losing custody of your children.
- Fear of losing support services, financial aid, or other forms of care.
Everyone has the right to feel safe. If you are worried about family violence, there is help available.
If you are experiencing family and domestic violence, there are dedicated services and resources that offer specialised support for people with disability.
Family and domestic violence is a crime. If you have been physically or sexually assaulted or threatened, or you are scared you might be, call WA Police on 000.
Services and resources
- Disability support services: services to support Western Australians living with disability, their families and carers.
Sunny: is 1800RESPECT’s app for women with disability who have experienced violence and abuse. Sunny has been co-designed with women with disability.
Reach out to helplines
If it’s not an emergency and you’re worried about family and domestic violence, you can reach out to 24-hour helplines. Speak with trained counsellors for support and discuss your options.
- The National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline is a confidential service for reporting abuse and neglect of people with disability. Phone: 1800 880 052.
Ethnic Disability Advocacy Centre: aims to safeguard the rights of people from diverse background with disability, their families, and carers. Phone: (08) 9388 7455; free call 1800 659 921.
- 1800RESPECT: a national sexual assault, domestic family violence counselling service. Phone: 1800 737 732.
- Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline: provides support for women, with or without children, who are experiencing family and domestic violence in Western Australia (including referrals to women’s refuges). Phone: 1800 007 339. *This helpline is operated by Department of Communities, and your call will be answered by a child protection worker. We are here to help.
- Men’s Domestic Violence Helpline: provides telephone information and referrals for men who are concerned about their violent and abusive behaviours, and for male victims of family and domestic violence in Western Australia. Phone: 1800 000 599. *This helpline is operated by Department of Communities, and your call will be answered by a child protection worker. We are here to help.
- Kids Helpline: provides free support and counselling (talking through problems) to people aged 5-25. Phone: 1800 551 800
- Concern for a child's wellbeing: If you are concerned about a child's wellbeing, please contact the Department of Communities Child Protection Central Intake Team on 1800 273 889. If you are calling outside of business hours, Crisis Care is available on 1800 199 008 and provides Western Australia’s after-hours response to reported concerns for a child’s safety and wellbeing and information and referrals for people experiencing crisis. For more information about child protection, please visit Child protection.
Find more support here:
Family and domestic violence helplines and support services
Statistics on family and domestic violence for people with disability
People with disability have a higher risk of experiencing family and domestic violence. Find out more on the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare website.
