By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
MAJOR parties have failed to commit extra resources to tackle violence against the state’s most vulnerable women despite a damning recent report.
Women with Disabilities Victoria chief executive Keran Howe said she was disappointed by Labor and Liberal party responses to the Voices Against Violence report which detailed “horrific” rates of violence against women with disabilities.
The report found women with disabilities – perceived as “less powerful” – were particular targets of perpetrators.
Yet the victims were hindered by a severe lack of accessible services such as disability-friendly crisis accommodation.
Victims suffered “significant barriers” to receiving services and justice, the report found.
“This should be everyone’s business,” Ms Howe said.
“There’s been additional (state) funding for family violence but no identified funding for women with disabilities.
“The government has been interested to hear the findings but we want to see dollars as well as interest.”
Ms Howe said many women had been degraded by males in their lives, including carers, partners and relatives.
“Some of the women’s experiences have quite horrific details about the abuse they sustained over a long time,” Ms Howe said.
“They are experiencing the same violence as other women but it’s different in that it’s targeting them as women with disabilities.”
Ms Howe said services, including crisis accommodation, sexual assault and family violence help needed to be more responsive and accessible.
“We need more support groups to work through issues so women don’t feel they’re alone.”
She also called for funding to be continued for a world-first violence-prevention pilot program in disability workplaces which had “positive” feedback from workers.
