Family violence is a pervasive issue in Aotearoa, impacting countless lives. For our disabled community, the situation is even more dire. As Paula Tesoriero, Disability Rights Commissioner, highlights in a powerful video, disabled adults and children face significantly higher rates of family violence than their non-disabled peers.
This isn't just a community issue—it's a systemic failure requiring immediate attention and action. We need to adjust our systemic responses to support improved responses to disabled people experiencing family violence.
“Disabled adults and children are at higher risk of experiencing family violence than non-disabled people. In 2021, two significant studies were published that made clear the high rates of violence experienced by the disabled community in New Zealand. Those with any disability reported significantly higher rates of most forms of intimate partner violence than those without disabilities, among both genders.”
The Alarming Reality
Two significant studies from 2021 revealed a sobering truth: individuals with disabilities in New Zealand are disproportionately affected by family violence. Both disabled men and women reported significantly higher rates of intimate partner violence, highlighting the urgent need for change.
The statistics are stark, but they can no longer be ignored. It’s time for all of us—communities, service providers, and policymakers—to recognise the additional vulnerabilities faced by our disabled whānau and step up to address them.
You can read more at: https://whiteribbon.org.nz/home/disabilities-and-violence-in-new-zealand/
VisAble: Amplifying Voices for Change
Enter VisAble, a bold and much-needed initiative that’s turning the tide for disability advocacy in Aotearoa. Led by an exceptional group of changemakers, VisAble challenges us to confront the uncomfortable realities faced by disabled individuals, especially in the context of family violence.
The Hon. Karen Chhour, Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence, rightly describes VisAble’s launch as “an important development in community advocacy to achieve more focus on the needs and rights of disabled people in the family violence and sexual violence system.”
VisAble’s work will be transformative, shedding light on critical aspects such as the role of carers—both familial and professional—and how their dynamics can sometimes increase the risk of abuse. Advocacy is vital here, as is education.
Learning about the likes of Chemical Coercion that we speak about in our PVIC workshop could be a start, as understanding the statistics and simply being aware that if you are working with someone who experiences disability on any level, there is an increased likelihood of family violence victimisation. It is time to educate society, and VisAble is the perfect organisation to guide us as a sector and as a nation.
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