Bibliographies
Australian materials are indexed in the Australian Family and Society Abstracts Database and are available for loan from the ACSSA collection at the Australian Institute of Family Studies library. Online publications in PDF format require Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Sexual Assault and Disability Issues
Australian publications
Beyond belief, beyond justice: the difficulties for seeking justice.
Goodfellow, Jonathon; Camilleri, Margaret.
Melbourne, Vic: Disability Discrimination Legal Service Inc., 2003, 81p
This report represents the end of Stage One of the Sexual Offences Project for Women with Disabilities. It aims
to examine the obstacles victim/survivors with cognitive impairment experience when reporting sexual
assault and proceeding with prosecution in Victoria. It includes chapters on the background to the
project; research, reports and legislation; policy and practice; and findings and recommendations.
There are four appendices containing a glossary, bibliography, consultation questions for sexual
assault workers, and a flow chart of critical decision making points following disclosure. The report
shows that victim/survivors of sexual assault with cognitive impairment are more vulnerable
to abuse than those without a disability; generally have less knowledge of appropriate sexual behaviour
(and of the law); may be denied self-determination in reporting; and are frequently disbelieved
when they report sexual assault. These and other factors were considered to contribute to the
decreased incidence of reporting sexual assault by victim/survivors with cognitive impairment.
Building bridges : a systematic and collaborative approach to extending protection and abuse prevention strategies
for women with intellectual disabilities in rural communities
Macklin, Marie
Rural social work and community practice; Vol. 10, Issue: Dec 2005; Dec 2005; 3-9
This article outlines an action research project undertaken in a regional community in Australia aimed at addressing
issues of sexuality for people with intellectual disabilities in a regional community. The paper focuses on issues
of sexual vulnerability, protection, response to abuse and abuse prevention in a community context. The paper
is divided into three main sections. The first section outlines the rationale for the project and its genesis.
It then identifies the principles that underpinned the project and briefly discusses the theoretical orientations
that informed the project. The second section describes the action research process undertaken in executing
the project, focussing specifically on systematic, collaborative and developmental elements of the research
strategy. The third section provides some evaluative reflection on some of the more difficult and problematic
elements of the project. The paper demonstrates that projects aimed at addressing issues of sexual vulnerability
and abuse of people with intellectual disabilities that are informed by community action research have
the capacity to promote positive social change.
Code of practice for the investigation
of sexual assault. (PDF 621K)
Victoria Police.
Melbourne, Vic: Victoria Police, 2005, 37p, Online)
This code of practice describes the way Victoria Police members must respond to reports of sexual assault. The aims of the code
and the functions of Victoria Police are detailed here. The code covers caring for the victim; ensuring prompt medical attention;
drug and alcohol facilitated sexual assault; Indigenous communities; culturally and linguistically diverse communities; victims
with disabilities; victims with a mental illness; victims with a cognitive impairment; children; mandatory reporting; paediatric
forensic medical services; guidelines for police who receive the initial report of a sexual assault; guidelines for police who are
first on the scene; guidelines for Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Unit members; guidelines for police interviewing a sexual assault
victim; guidelines for investigators; procedures for no further police action; past sexual assaults; recent sexual assaults; support
services; monitoring adherence to the guidelines; Victoria Police - Centre Against Sexual Assault liaison committees; and resources.
Dimensions of disability, rurality and lesbianism
in women's experiences of intimate violence. (PDF 322K)
Gray, Kay; Bradford, Michelle.
Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research Newsletter v.4 no.1 Sept 2005: 6-9, and Online
In this article the author expands on the notion of 'intersectionality' discussed in a previous article. The focus of this article
is the interaction of constructs of disability, rurality and lesbianism in shaping and compounding women's experiences of domestic
and family violence. Disability, rurality and lesbianism may interact with other dimensions of gender, race and class to shape and
amplify women's vulnerability to domestic violence. The authors conclude that responses that deconstruct and honour women's individual
experiences together with recognition and exposure of the systemic and structural processes that support and perpetuate oppressive
and discriminatory practices, are essential for supporting women to realise their rights to safety and freedom from abuse.
Double the odds: domestic violence and women with disabilities.
Frohmader, Carolyn; Salthouse, Sue.
In: Home Truths: Stop Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, a National Challenge Conference, Melbourne, September 2004:
presentations. Melbourne, Vic: CASA Forum, 2004, 19p, Online only
The status of women with disabilities in Australia, and their experiences with domestic violence, are discussed.
The paper looks at definitions and perceptions of disability; gender and disability; definitions of domestic
violence; forms of domestic violence, including physical violence, sexual assault, emotional or psychological
abuse, neglect, destruction of property, financial abuse; incidence of domestic violence; strategies to
manage domestic violence; barriers to leaving a violent situation; protection from domestic violence from the
feminist movement, the disability movement, the law and governments; and what needs to be done.
Measuring violence against women: a review
of the literature and statistics.
Phillips, Janet; Park,
Malcolm.
Canberra, ACT: Parliamentary
Library, Parliament of Australia, 2004, E-brief, Online
only
This
electronic brief aims to draw together major resources,
research and studies on violence against women and
sexual assault in Australia, and a selection of the
major international surveys. Topics covered include:
whether violence against women is growing; whether
victims know the perpetrators; injuries to women in
cases of sexual assault; state and territory comparisons;
whether victims access support services; outcomes of
the criminal justice system; women's fear of violence;
economic, social and health costs of violence against
women; at risk groups. Links are provided to resource
centres and websites.
Responding to sexual assault and promoting sexual safety
inform the development of local area policy and procedures for responding
to sexual assault and promoting sexual safetly within Queenslan Health
acute care, extended treatment and medium and high secure inpatient
mental health services.
Queensland
Health.
Brisbane, Qld: Queensland Health, 2004,
29p, figures
These guidelines are intended to assist
workers and consumers in the mental health, sexual assault and disability
sectors in Queensland. They provide a framework for the development of
local area policy and procedures to address issues relating to sexual
assault and sexual safety within Queensland Health acute care, extended
treatment and medium and high secure inpatient mental health services.
The guidelines cover: gender, mental illness and sexual violence; sexual
assault; responding to a report of recent sexual assault; past sexual
assault and abuse; sexual harassment; sexual safety; risk assessment;
assessment vulnerability; identifying and responding to sexually
disinhibited behaviours; policies regarding sexual relationships; sexual
relationships between staff and clients; impaired capacity; clients under
16 years; diverse needs; safety in design of mental health services;
follow up support; confidentiality and documentation; staff support and
education; education for clients and family members; services access,
availability and promotion; and evaluation.
Responding to sexual assault in aged and disability
care settings: the SADA project.
Northern Sydney
Health.
In: Passion, power,
practice: 2nd National ACROD Ageing and Disability
Conference, Hobart, 19-20 July 2005: speakers presentations.
Curtin, ACT: ACROD Limited, 2005, 7p, Online
A significant number of people in aged care and
disability settings have been sexually assaulted and most of these people
do not have fair access to the criminal justice system nor the resources
to ensure their ongoing safety. The SADA (Sexual Assault in Disability
and Ageing) project addresses the sexual assault of these vulnerable
people, the difficulties involved in ensuring their safety and in
pursuing prosecution. SADA aims to create a framework for action in
which agencies work together to ensure protection of vulnerable people in
care settings and to provide an effective response to incidents or
concerns of sexual assault.
Sexual
abuse of people with a disability.
Blyth,
J.
In: Practice and prevention: contemporary
issues in adult sexual assault conference. Sydney, NSW: NSW
Attorney-General's Department, Crime Prevention Division, 2003, Online
only
In considering the issue of people with an
intellectual disability who have been sexually assaulted, the author
discusses the following areas: understanding the meaning of disability; a
profile of sexual assault for this group of people; and responses to
these issues. She presents information on the diversity of the
intellectually disabled and some historical background on how they have
been treated by the community and in law. In profiling sexual abuse of
this group, the author identifies ways in which sufferers differ from
sexual abuse victims in the wider community. She also outlines the
effects of the abuse, components of prevention, addressing safety, and
interviewing about sexual assault.
Sexual Assault Resource Centre: client mental health survey.
Stone, Judi; Clifton, Beth.
Aware:
Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault Newsletter no.9 Nov
2005: 12-15, and Online
Significant research has been done on the correlation between child sexual abuse and mental
health problems, both in Australia and overseas. Whilst
statistics vary, the findings generally indicate a
high correlation between child sexual abuse and mental
ill health. The Sexual Assault Resource Centre (SARC)
in Western Australia undertook a cross-sectional study
of clients who attended the service following a recent
sexual assault or because of past sexual assault and/or
sexual abuse issues. Information was collected on
whether clients had a mental health diagnosis and/or
drug and alcohol problem. The results indicated high
rates of depression and drug and alcohol use problems.
The greatest prevalence of mental health problems
and drug and alcohol use was evident in clients who
had experienced both child sexual abuse and sexual
assault. (Journal abstract)
Sexual
offences: law and procedure: final report.
Victorian Law Reform
Commission.
Melbourne, Vic:
Victorian Law Reform Commission, 2004, 528p, and Online
The Victorian
Law Reform Commission undertook a review of the criminal
justice system in relation to its responsiveness to
the needs of complainants in sexual offence cases.
Based on research and consultations, this report makes
202 recommendations for changes. Recommendations cover
areas such as: improving police responses to sexual
assault; increasing the responsiveness of the criminal
justice system; making it easier for complainants
to give evidence; improving the system for child
complainants and for complainants with a cognitive
impairment.
The
health costs of violence: measuring the burden
of disease caused by intimate partner violence:
a summary of findings. (PDF 407K)
Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth).
Carlton South, Vic: Victorian Health Promotion
Foundation, 2004, 40p, tables, figures, and Online
This
report summarises the findings of a study that assessed
the health impact of intimate partner violence, specifically
examining the prevalence, health problems caused and
contribution to the total disease burden in Victorian
women. The study was contributed to by a range of
experts from across Victoria and elsewhere. Findings
show that intimate partner or domestic violence is
common, with one in five women reporting being
subjected to violence at some time in their adult lives.
The physical and mental health effects on women are
wide-ranging and persistent, with intimate partner
violence contributing nine per cent of the total disease
burden in Victorian women aged 15-44. The study also
found that intimate partner violence is the leading
contributor to death, disability and illness in Victorian
women aged 15-44.
The
health impact of violence: a disability perspective. (PDF
612K).
Jennings, Chris.
In: Home Truths: Stop Sexual Assault
and Domestic Violence, a National Challenge
Conference, Melbourne, September 2004: presentations.
Melbourne, Vic: CASA Forum, 2004, 10p, Online
Only
Women identified as having a disability are recognised
nationally and internationally as a group who experience
violence at a greater rate than the general population.
The author reviews current research and discourse on
violence against women with disabilities particularly
as a health issue, with a focus on the state of Victoria.
A voice for women with disabilities is called for as
are legislative changes at the state and federal level.
Untangling the Web - a resource for people with mental illness who are
survivors of sexual abuse.
Seifert, Diane; Neild,
Julie.
Brisbane, Qld: Mental Health Unit,
Queensland Health, rev, ed., 2004 24p, and Online
This is
a booklet for people with mental illness who are survivors of sexual
abuse. Through the use of images, text and narrative stories it provides
initial information, education and self help tasks on sexual assault for
people suffering from mental illnesss.
WWDA violence against women with disabilities resource manual [kit]
Rosny Park, Tas: Women with
Disabilities Australia, 2007, resource kit (4 booklets, 1
CD-ROM)
This resource kit brings together 4 booklets on
understanding and preventing violence against women with disabilities,
and supporting women who have experienced violence. 1. A life like mine!
Narratives from women with disabilities who experience violence' features
stories and poetry of resilience and hope by women who have experienced
violence. 2. Forgotten sisters: a global review of violence against women
with disabilities' examines the incidence and prevalence of violence
against women with disabilities, and advocacy and policy issues. It
includes an annotated bibliography of resources. 3. It's not ok, it's
violence: information about domestic violence and women with
disabilities' is written for women with disabilities and provides
information on domestic violence and support services in Australia. 4.
More than just a ramp: a guide for women's refuges to develop Disability
Discrimination Act action plans' is a guide for women's refuges and
services on how to develop and implement a Disability Discrimination Act
action plan. The booklets are available in hardcopy, digital files, and
audio files.
International publications
Confronting the Sexual Abuse of Women with Disabilities
Elman, R. Amy, 2005.
This VAWnet paper provides a brief summary of the research on sexual abuse of women with disabilities. The document also covers the origins of our knowledge concerning the sexual abuse of women with disabilities, the methodological quandaries related to sexual abuse research in general and the data on women with disabilities and the men who abuse them, and concludes with an exploration of the efforts of women with disabilities and their allies to counter sexual abuse.
Serving Women with Developmental Disabilities: Strategies for the Justice System
Dubin, Marc. 2005.
Women with developmental disabilities experiencie a far higher rate of sexual assault and rape than other women, and experience this victimization repeatedly. This article explores some of the issues facing police, prosecutors, judges, advocates, and other members of the criminal justice system, and provide some suggestions for how they can better serve women with developmental disabilities.