Domestic Violence and Children with Disabilities: Working Towards Enhancing Social Work Practice

Abstract

Globally, domestic violence, where a family member, partner or ex-partner attempts to physically, sexually or psychologically dominate or harm the other, is now recognised as one of the most entrenched and pervasive forms of violence in society. Nevertheless, internationally and in Australia, the occurrence of domestic and other forms of violence in families affecting children with a disability is poorly understood. The present article examines the information available on domestic violence and children with a disability. Through the use of case studies drawn from a large disability organisation in New South Wales, Australia, practice issues with families where domestic violence affects a child with a disability are drawn out for social workers to consider. These considerations are designed to enhance practice in this field.

Keywords:

• Children
• Disability
• Domestic Violence

Notes

1. A comprehensive discussion of the definitions of DV can be found in the Australian Domestic Violence Clearinghouse Issues Paper 1 (Laing, 2000).

2. Cerebral palsy is a developmental disability that results from damage to the part of the brain that controls the movement of muscles. People with cerebral palsy may have movement difficulties that affect all limbs and trunk (quadriplegia), both legs (diplegia) or one side of the body (hemiplegia) and can vary in their combination and intensity.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Eileen Baldry

Eileen Baldry and Jan Breckenridge, Senior Lecturers, School of Social Work at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Joan Bratel

Joan Bratel, Manager of Community Links, The Spastic Centre of NSW, New South Wales, Australia

Jan Breckenridge

Eileen Baldry and Jan Breckenridge, Senior Lecturers, School of Social Work at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia