Working with Women with Learning Disabilities who have Experienced Gender-Based Violence
MacIntyre and Stewart (2022)
Content Warning: Discussions of gender-based violence throughout
This report examines working with women with a learning disability who have experience gender-based violence within a Scottish context. The report details the limited evidence base surrounding the subject due to linguistic inconsistencies and lack of research focusing on women with learning disabilities. The evidence that does exist suggests that women with learning disabilities are likely to experience gender-based violence disproportionately to their peers without a learning disability, however they are frequently a hidden population. Abuse is often pervasive and normalised by the perpetrators. This normalisation can make it difficult for women to identify the abusive behaviours and is a major barrier to their ability to access services. The report details ways in which women with a learning disability can be supported, including education to understand and identify abuse. Trusting relationships and longevity of engagement are vital for supporting women to ensure they feel believed and are not to blame for the abuse. The authors also suggest building social networks, developing peer support and addressing disadvantage in women’s lives.
Note: This report focuses specifically on people with a learning disability and as such some aspects may not be applicable for neurodivergent people without a learning disability.
