Facilitators and barriers to disclosing abuse among women with disabilities

Violence Vict. 2011;26(4):430-44. doi: 10.1891/0886-6708.26.4.430.

Abstract

An anonymous audio computer-assisted self-interview (A-CASI) designed to increase awareness of abuse was completed by 305 women with diverse disabilities. Data were also collected about lifetime and past year abuse; perpetrator risk characteristics; facilitators and barriers to disclosing abuse; abuse disclosure to a health provider, case manager, or police officer; and whether a health provider had ever discussed abuse or personal safety. A total of 276 (90%) women reported abuse, 208 (68%) reported abuse within the past year. Women who reported the most abuse experiences in the past year and the most dangerous perpetrators endorsed fewer facilitators and more barriers, but were also more likely to have ever disclosed abuse. Only 15% reported that a health provider had ever discussed abuse and personal safety.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attitude to Health
  • Audiovisual Aids
  • Battered Women / psychology*
  • Battered Women / statistics & numerical data
  • Communication Barriers*
  • Computer-Assisted Instruction
  • Crime Victims / psychology*
  • Crime Victims / statistics & numerical data
  • Disabled Persons / psychology
  • Disabled Persons / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Internal-External Control
  • Middle Aged
  • Self Disclosure*
  • Spouse Abuse / psychology
  • Spouse Abuse / statistics & numerical data*
  • User-Computer Interface
  • Women's Health
  • Young Adult