Speech to Prevalent and Preventable Conference
September 21, 2016
Slowly we are learning more about the harms of sexism – most commonly directed toward women – particularly in our discussions around domestic and family violence.
As both a woman and an egalitarian I certainly know that we have not learned enough; nor have we done enough, but we also need to recognise that sexism is not the only problem.
When it comes women with disability, I continue to be shocked about, and angered by, basic issues that have not been considered in both domestic violence, and broader social policy making.
The key to making effective programs is to consult women with a lived experience of disability – it’s the only way you’ll truly understand the needs. I’m reminded of the old disability rights rallying cry “nothing about us – without us” and how the hell is that still not happening!
I’d like to ask you to put your hand up if you are enrolled to vote and go along to your local polling booth to decide who runs your state, and country? Thanks, I’m pleased you do, but did you know that we don’t know how many women with disabilities are enrolled to vote, because no one has ever bothered to check. Nothing about us, without us, hmm.
The informal discussions I have had with service providers and parents suggest very few young people with significant disability, are enrolled to vote. So even though policies of government affect most aspects of our lives many of us have no say in this thing called democracy!
Changes to the justice system have recently been implemented here in South Australia. And these are important changes for many reasons – not least of which is the fact that people with disabilities are statistically so much more likely to experience abuse.
In fact, Women with Disabilities Australia estimate that ninety percent of women and girls with intellectual disability have experienced sexual abuse at some point in their lifetime. Ninety percent….
And sixty eight percent of women who have intellectual disabilities will experience abuse before they reach the age of 18. Dignity for Disability recognises that the greater the voice of these victims in our justice system and courts, the less likelihood there is that people with disabilities will be specifically targeted as victims of such heinous crimes.
We must look at the personal, family and community cost of this abuse and on the positive side see how our society will benefit in the longer term once justice is achieved. Of course prevention of these crimes is our ultimate goal, and that is an issue of discussion today. The over representation of women who have been sexually abused in the prison population must also be addressed.
Providing people with disabilities with the education, knowledge and tools to recognise and speak out about all forms of abuse is key. Anecdotally, I hear of many people with disabilities missing out on sex education in schools (I myself was one of them), because people with disabilities are so often and consciously and unconsciously judged as asexual, unlovable or undesirable.
Another problem is that women with disabilities are frequently infantilised. It is assumed that we do not have the capacity to learn about these issues or to engage in these types of relationships. Often from my observation, this happens because of a desire to keep people were perceived as inherently vulnerable safe. I am not (yet) a parent, but I can certainly empathise with the desire to keep one’s children or other loved ones free from harm.
However, from my observations through my work, I have learned that when we deny people the basic right to education about interpersonal relationships, including sexuality, we do not keep people safe. Quite the opposite is true. Not only does denying relationship education deny us the dignity of risk and a variety of natural human experiences, it has the potential to put us in danger.
Today there are painful reminders of the cruelty of human against human, and particularly adults against children, and men against women. These cases strike us at our core and there is no respite in the community from perpetrators of such offences. It is beholden on us to continue to push for the reforms that we know will make a difference to access to justice for all.
Even with the recent Disability Justice Plan law reforms in South Australia, many more cultural and policy changes are needed.
Too often, women with disabilities attempt to report or disclose crimes being perpetrated against them and come up against a wall of ignorance. They are NOT believed and NO investigation is undertaken. This highlights the need for a well-trained and understanding first point of contact when a crime is reported.
The police and other investigative agencies need to implement compulsory and comprehensive training for all officers in disability. It’s not good enough to offer a “special interest” course for a just a few. There must be a basic awareness of how different disabilities can affect communication and behaviour. And, again, nothing about us – without us, it is people with disabilities who are best placed to conduct such training sessions!
Additionally, under the new Disability Justice Plan reforms, we look forward to the police force having specialist officers trained to a high level who can conduct interviews with people with disabilities using appropriate questioning methods, and using communication aids and assistants as necessary.
It’s time for a mandatory reporting system for people with disabilities living in care or accessing care services. This should immediately be enacted through legislation.
I note there is some interest in establishing specialist disability forensic unit. Statistics show that people with disabilities are over-represented in South Australian prisons. Prisons are ill-equipped – both in terms of infrastructure and training of staff – for prisoners with disabilities and those with high levels of need should be accommodated in a specialist facility for their own safety and wellbeing and that of others.
I both thank and congratulate the organisers for inviting me to the conference, I know that the camaraderie of an event like this means a great deal to those who have been affected by physical, sexual and emotional violence and I hope that there is networking galore, and laughter – yes laughter, because in the face of the worst of humanity it is beholden on us to represent the best of humanity, and we must take the opportunity to feel the friendship and support of others who know our journey.
I know the enormity of the task before us, and that it can be overwhelming at times. But each and everything we do makes a difference and please never underestimate how important each and every action that you take is.