A groundbreaking study conducted by Women’s Aid, Trinity College Dublin, and the Disabled Gender Based Violence Taskforce highlights the urgent need for action to protect disabled women facing intimate partner abuse in Ireland. The research revealed that abusive partners often exploit women’s disabilities, creating barriers to leaving the relationship.
Key findings include the lack of support for mobility, medication withholding, and fear of losing custody of children. The report emphasizes the necessity of funding and training for domestic violence services to better serve disabled victims. It also calls for improved accessibility and training for legal professionals and support staff.
Women’s Aid CEO, Sarah Benson, called the research groundbreaking, exposing a hidden aspect of intimate partner abuse in Ireland. Dr Susan Flynn, the principal investigator, noted the severe impacts of abuse on disabled women, which were often related to their disabilities.
The report’s recommendations stress the importance of prioritizing the issue in national strategies and implementing immediate changes to support disabled women in abusive relationships.