Preventing and Responding to Violence Against Women with Disabilities: Family Violence and Disability Films
- By Women with Disabilities Victoria
Family Violence and Disability Films
What are the films about?
Women with Disabilities Victoria has collaborated with National Disability Services to develop four short films for disability workers on family violence and disability. The films are:
• Preventing and responding to family violence
• Prevention of domestic and family violence
• Early intervention in domestic and family violence
• Responding to domestic and family violence
Why develop these films?
The purpose of the films is to help disability workers identify and respond to family violence. Research shows that people with disabilities experience higher rates of violence than people without disabilities. Women with disabilities in particular experience very high rates of family and domestic violence. The disability workforce has a vital role to play in preventing, identifying and responding to domestic and family violence.
Are the films accessible?
The films model best practice in accessibility. One version has an Auslan interpreter and subtitles. A second version of each film is audio described.
Film 1 - Introduction
This film provides an overview of domestic family violence and introduces the three other films. The films use scenarios to assist disability workers to identify, understand, prevent and appropriately respond to domestic family violence.
Research shows people with disabilities experience higher rates of violence than people without disabilities. Women with disabilities experience very high rates of domestic and family violence.
Film 2 - Prevention
Film 3 - Early Intervention
Early intervention means understanding who is at risk of family violence and doing things to support them to be safe, before violence happens.
Film 4 - Response
This film focuses on how to respond to family violence experienced by women with disabilities. When you are working with a woman who is experiencing family violence, safety is a priority. It is essential to get advice so your actions don’t increase the risk of harm for the person you are supporting. Talk to your organisation and make sure you understand your professional and legal obligations.
An example of responding would be helping a woman call a family violence service for support or the police to report the family violence. A family violence service can help make a safety plan and provide other support, and some women may need to go to a refuge to be safe.