Episode 20: The Overlooked Victim Survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
TW: This episode talks about domestic violence, sexual assault, coercive control and suicide. Listener discretion is advised.
If you need support you can call the National Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Counselling Service on 1800 RESPECT or visit https://www.1800respect.org.au/
In Australia, on average, one woman a week is murdered at the hands of a current, or former partner, and approximately 10 women a day are hospitalised for assault injuries perpetrated by spouse or domestic partner and evidence shows that women with disabilities in Australia are two times more likely to experience sexual violence and intimate partner violence.
Nicole Lee is a victim survivor of domestic, family and sexual violence and uses her first hand experience as a person with a disability to help advocate for others with a disability who are also victim survivors of abuse.
Susan and Nicole talk about her journey, the cycle of coercive control and how the systems set up for someone to escape violence isn't built for people with disabilties.
Support Resources
Reach out - Domestic Violence support: https://au.reachout.com/articles/domestic-violence-support
Lifeline Crisis Chat: https://www.lifeline.org.au/crisis-chat/
Australian Government Support Directory - respect.gov.au: https://www.respect.gov.au/services/
Staying Home Leaving Violence: https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/domestic-violence/services-and-support/programs/staying-home-leaving-violence
Information in this episode
Nicole Lee: https://speakingout.com.au/speaker/nicole-lee/
Women with disability are being turned away by family violence services in Australia - SBS: https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/women-with-disability-are-being-turned-away-by-family-violence-services-in-australia/bqjumdl3c
Women living with disability can face extra hurdles breaking free of abusers, survivor warns - ABC: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-23/domestic-violence-and-disability-challenges-to-getting-out/100359908
The Choice - Violence or Poverty: https://www.violenceorpoverty.com/
Rosie Batty: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosie_Batty
Phil Cleary: sister's death led to drive for justice: https://www.thecourier.com.au/story/1695362/phil-cleary-sisters-death-led-to-drive-for-justice/
The Duluth Model Understanding the Power and Control Wheel: https://www.theduluthmodel.org/wheels/understanding-power-control-wheel/
So, what exactly is coercive control? - Laura Richards: https://www.laurarichards.co.uk/coercive-control/
Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://bit.ly/ResourceHubSCIA.
