Shelters for people with disabilities are rare, but a model accessible residence for abuse victims from all over the country exists in New York City.
By Lindsey Whitcomb, MSW
According to the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence (www.kcsdv.org), women with disabilities are more likely to experience abuse by a greater number of perpetrators and for longer periods than women without disabilities. People with disabling conditions are especially vulnerable to victimization because of the real or perceived inability to fight or flee, notify others, and/or testify about the victimization.
This is just a hint of some alarming data in this and other studies on abuse. Disturbing as the subject is, it is essential to shed light on how prevalent domestic violence/abuse against women with disabilities is in order to educate women about what they can do to avoid it or stop it.
A study completed by Dr. Brian Armor and his colleagues from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta analyzed data they collected from the CDC’s 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, and this is what they found:
- Women with a disability were significantly more likely than women without a disability to report experiencing some form of intimate partner violence in their lifetime (37.3% versus 20.6%).
- Women with a disability were more likely to report ever being threatened with violence (28.5% vs. 15.4%) and hit, slapped, pushed, kicked or physically hurt (30.6% versus 15.7%) by an intimate partner.
- Women with a disability were also much more apt to report a history of unwanted sex by an intimate partner (19.7% versus 8.2%).
What accounts for the obvious significant differences in the numbers of women with disabilities compared to those without? “Perhaps, women with disabilities are vulnerable to intimate partner violence because their disability might limit mobility and prevent escape,” Armor speculates. “Shelters might not be available or accessible to women with disabilities; the disability might adversely affect communication and thus the ability to alert others or the perpetrator might control or restrict the victim’s ability to alert others to the problem.”
The Women Without Limits Advisory Committee to United Spinal Association also conducted a survey of women with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D) that included questions regarding the incidence of neglect and abuse. An initial survey was completed by participating women members of United Spinal Association; the survey was expanded to a national sample through a nationwide network of Web sites. The committee found that:
United Spinal Member survey group:
- 21% reported having been denied use of a mobility device;
- 22% reported having experienced neglect of health care needs.
United Spinal National survey group:
- 33% reported having experienced neglect of health care needs;
- 20% reported having experienced threats of physical injury and
- 23% reported having been denied use of a mobility aid since their SCI/D.
It is apparent from these studies that many women with a disabilities are also victims of domestic violence/abuse. No one in this position should feel alone and helpless because support is available. And now there is a crisis shelter for survivors of domestic violence that is specifically designed for people with disabilities or survivors who have children with disabilities: Freedom House, a division of Barrier Free Living, Holding Incorporated, of New York City.
“We have been providing domestic violence intervention services to [mostly] women with disabilities since 1986,” says Paul B. Feuerstein, president/CEO of Barrier Free Living Family of Companies. “Our program has grown from two workers trying to meet an overwhelming need to having our non-residential services become a program in a separate site in 1997 with a multi-disciplinary staff of twelve to where we are today with an additional 45 staff providing specialized services at Freedom House. While we are the largest program in the country, we know that we still have a lot more work to do.”
Breaking the Cycle
“Many of the women with disabilities that we work with do not consider themselves victims of abuse because the abuse has been a part of their lives since birth,”
Feuerstein continues. “For many, the acts of abuse are treated as the cost of living with a disability and needing help from others. The message we work to get out is that does not have to be the case. With support, the women in our program have been able to break the cycle of violence, discover their own sense of self-worth that will no longer put up with abuse, and begin a path toward interdependence with others. It is often a long journey of healing, but we have had the satisfaction of seeing individuals reach their goals. It’s those stories that give us the impetus to keep up the work.”
Freedom House is the only known shelter residence in the US that is totally accessible and specifically designed for people with disabilities. Located in East Harlem in New York City, Freedom House takes individuals from other states as well, including Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Missouri. Freedom House is funded through the City of New York, Human Resources Administration.
The facility, located just a short distance from accessible stores and wheelchair accessible buses, is fully-equipped to serve people with various disabilities, from physical to emotional to recovering substance abusers. The staff is fluent in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language.
Multiple Services
Freedom House has 44 wheelchair accessible apartments that can accommodate every situation from single individuals to families of seven. Each apartment can accommodate individuals who are visually or hearing impaired as well. The organization is licensed to provide shelter services to 95 people at a time. They provide an array of comprehensive services that include safety planning, individual and group therapy, activities of daily living training, skill building groups, travel training and trips throughout the city, case management services to assist in obtaining permanent housing, legal advocacy and referrals, children’s counseling, routine and emergency child care, positive parenting program, recreation program, psychiatric assessment for children and adults, and a 24-hour nurse on staff.
The outstanding interdisciplinary staff includes social workers, creative art therapists, case managers, occupational therapists, nurse on staff, recreation aides, and residential aides who are all dedicated to creating a safe and accessible facility for all families. It’s the hard work of these individuals that makes Freedom House such a great resource for victims of domestic violence who have disabilities.
If you or someone you know could benefit from Freedom House, the staff is available for referrals and emergencies at all times by calling 212-400-6470. For more information about Freedom House, visit www.fhnyc.org or contact Isa Martinez, Freedom House Shelter director at isam@fhnyc.org.
Lindsey Whitcomb, MSW is a social worker at United Spinal Association.
United Spinal Association Woman Without Limits Advisory Committee
- Wendy Crawford, Chairperson
- Melita Dolan
- Kathy Klerk
- Joan McMahon, MSA, BSN, CRRN
- Terrie Price, PhD
- Ronnie Raymond
- Marlene Perkins
