Understanding Violence. Building Safer Futures. Supporting Women with Disability through Education
Published on 9th of May 2025
Domestic and family violence doesn’t affect everyone equally. For women with disability, the risk is significantly higher - and their experiences are too often unheard, unseen, and unsupported.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 30% of women with disabilities have experienced intimate partner violence since the age of 15, compared to 16% of women without disability. This violence can take many forms, from physical and sexual violence to emotional abuse, coercive control, and financial manipulation. For many women with disability, dependence on a perpetrator - such as controlling access to communication devices, mobility aids, medication, or support systems - can make leaving even more complex.
Societal attitudes and misconceptions can further marginalise women with disability, making it essential that frontline workers are equipped to recognise and respond appropriately..
Education is prevention - and that's where DV-alert comes in.
Specialised Training: Supporting Women with Disability
DV-alert offers a 1-Day Focused Workshop on Women with Disability, designed specifically for frontline workers across the community and disability sectors.
This training equips participants with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to:
- Identify and respond appropriately to women with disability experiencing or at risk of domestic and family violence.
- Create accessible, safe spaces that empower women to disclose abuse
- Use strength-based approaches to support women’s autonomy and dignity
- Connect women with disability to appropriate services and resources.
This 1-Day Focused Workshop is part of DV-alert’s Assessment Pathway , offering the opportunity to gain a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment for the unit of competency CHCDFV001: Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence. Please note: Completion of a 2-Day DV-alert workshop is a prerequisite for attending.
Education Has the Power to Change Lives
Education doesn’t just build knowledge - it builds safer futures.
As one DV-alert learner shared:
"I realised how easy it is to miss the signs of abuse when you’re focused on someone’s disability support needs. Now I feel more equipped to have those conversations and deal with domestic violence."
When frontline workers are trained to understand the unique ways violence can impact women with disability, we take an important step towards breaking cycles of abuse and building communities where every woman is seen, heard, and supported.
Learn More and Get Involved
DV-alert is funded by the Department of Social Services and delivered on behalf of Lifeline Australia (RTO 88036). All training is offered at no cost to eligible frontline workers, with financial assistance available for travel or staff backfill in some cases.
Explore upcoming workshops and register today at: www.dvalert.org.au