AN Australian-first training program has been held in Bathurst to assist the 90 per cent of women with an intellectual disability across the country who have been sexually assaulted.
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The two-day pilot program, called Women with Disabilities DV Alert, was delivered by Lifeline Central West to people who work in the disability sector.
Lifeline Central West’s Stephanie Robinson said the statistics on sexual assaults and violence against women with a disability were shocking.
“Forty per cent of these women will experience domestic or family violence,” she said. “These statistics are much, much higher than for those without a disability.”
Ms Robinson said these women were already vulnerable, and often the perpetrator of the violence is the person acting as their carer.
“DFV [domestic/family violence] is not just physical, it’s psychological and emotional, verbal, financial, stalking, technology facilitated abuse, social and cultural/spiritual,” she said.
DFV [domestic/family violence] is not just physical, it’s psychological and emotional, verbal, financial, stalking, technology facilitated abuse, social and cultural/spiritual.
- Lifeline Central West's Stephanie Robinson
Ms Robinson said often those working in the disability sector do not know what to do if they suspect an assault has occurred or do not recognise the signs or symptoms.
“This course was for front-line workers who represent a whole range of service providers,” she said.
“It will give them increased knowledge of how to recognise the varied types of abuse and violence and know how to appropriately respond to the violence.”
Mrs Robinson is hopeful Lifeline will receive additional federal funding to allow training to be rolled-out nationally.