Safety & Respect: Women with Disabilities & Family Violence

On 13 March 2019, NIFVS and Women with Disabilities Victoria (WDV) partnered in running a forum for workers to explore the needs of women with disabilities who experience family violence.

Key note speaker Lee Van Poppel (CEO, WDV) highlighted that when women with a disability have the support they need, their disability is not a barrier. A panel of women with lived experience provided advice about how workers can ensure women with disabilities know their rights and have the time and support to express their safety and support needs.

Kelly Parry, Jen Hargreaves, Nicole Lee, Ada Conroy, Sarah Johnson, Jane Rosengrove, Leah Van Poppel, Alyssha Fooks, Tess Karembelas

Forum resources

View a summary of the forum.

View the presentation from the forum.

Additional resources

For more resources about working with women with disabilities visit our resources page and find further information about the Disability Family Violence Crisis Response Initiative crisis funds.

“I will ensure I always check with women what they need from our service instead of assuming I know what they need.” Forum participant

The NIFVS partnership acknowledges Victorian Aboriginal people as the Traditional Owners of the land on which we provide our services. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and recognise the ongoing living culture of all Aboriginal people. We express commitment to Aboriginal self-determination and our hope for reconciliation and justice.