CROSS TRAINING DISABILITY
AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE/SEXUAL ASSAULT PROVIDERS IN
6800
Old Main Hill
Logan UT 84322-6800
Day Phone: 435-797-3811
Fax: 435-797-2044
Email: mhammond@cpd2.usu.edu
Presenter
#2
Richard Baer
6800
Old Main Hill
Logan UT 84322-6800
Day Phone: 435-797-7009
Fax: 435-797-2044
Email: dick@cpd2.usu.edu
Presenter
#3
Kathryn
Monson
308
West 1000
Logan
Day Phone: 435-752-4493
Fax: 435-753-7054
Email: kathyrn@capsa.org
Presenter
#4
Gordon
Richins
6800
Old Main Hill
Day Phone: 435-797-2832
Fax: 435-797-2044
Email: Gordon@cpd2.usu.edu
Unfortunately,
women with disabilities are subject to the same forms of physical, emotional,
sexual, and financial abuse, but these types of abuse may be experienced in
unique ways, such as being handled roughly during a transfer, being made to
stand for unendurable lengths of time, and being restrained. Other abuse may
include experiencing demands for sexual activities in return for help, threats
of abandonment, and accusations, of faking. In addition, abuse by personal
assistants may include not working the expected hours, stealing money or
personal items, misusing credit cards; over/under medicating, refusing to
provide care, or disabling equipment (Powers & Oschwald, 2004). As these
examples illustrate, women with disabilities (Sobsey & Doe, 1991; Young,
Nosek, Howland & Chanpong, 1997). There are usually many more opportunities
to experience abuse for women with disabilities. They also generally experience abuse for
longer periods of time (Young, Nosek, Howland & Chanpong, 1997). The
American Psychological Association (2005) reports that violence and abuse are
significantly under-reported at all levels of society, especially for
individuals who are outside the majority culture. Although abuse may sometimes
result in short term or permanent disabilities, the consequences of abuse
experienced by women who already have disabilities can sometimes be even more
overwhelming (Hughes & Abramson, 2004).
It
is estimated that there are approximately 130, 000 women with disabilities in
The
Center for Persons with Disabilities is one of the 61 University Centers for
Education, Research, and Services located at major universities throughout the
CAPSA
is a nonprofit domestic violence and sexual assault program serving Cache and
Rich counties in northern
The
project has broad support from domestic violence and disability service
programs across the state. Cooperating organizations will serve on the project
advisory council, review training materials and procedures, identify members to
be trained as regional trainers/technical assistants in project year two, and
schedule/coordinate their members and others to participate in training.
Cooperating organizations include: DSPD, Utah’s social service agency
supporting people with disabilities; UACS, a network of 39 private organizations
providing services for people with disabilities; UDVC, a network coordinating
the efforts of numerous domestic violence programs across the state; UCASA, a network
coordinating the efforts of numerous sexual assault programs across the state;
and USILC, a network of Centers for Independent Living across the state.
Additional organizations will serve on the project advisory council and have
input into overall guidance of the project.
This
joint CPD/CAPSA project is focused on training disability service providers
about recognizing violence against women with disabilities, accessing available
resources, and making appropriate referrals to the domestic violence/sexual
assault service system. Training for domestic violence/sexual assault services
providers will be about disabilities, assistive technology, resources, and
making appropriate accommodations, this project will also increase agency collaboration
and knowledge of services.
The
following is a summary of training topics.
Disability
Service Providers
* Extent
of the problem-statics
* Definition
of abuse/sexual assault
* Dynamics
of abuse/sexual assault
*
Abuse specific to women with disabilities
*
Recognizing abuse
*
Barriers to women with disabilities declaring they are abused
*
Legal reporting requirements
*
Referring women for services
Shelter
Counseling
Protective
orders
*Service
gaps
Domestic
Violence Sexual Assault Providers
* Extent
of the problem-statistics
*
Abuse specific women with disabilities
* Barriers
to women with disabilities declaring they are abused
* Legal
reporting requirements
*
Types of disabilities
Blind
Deaf
Physical
Mental
illness
Mental
retardation/cognitive impairment
* Reasonable
accommodations, the
* Service
gaps
An
educational research and development model was used to develop materials to
assure they are highly effective. In project year one, an initial set of
materials was drafted, reviewed by experts, revised, and field tested with
approximately 40 trainees in northern
As
a result of the project’s efforts, it is anticipated that domestic violence/sexual
assault and disability organizational staff will increase knowledge in the
above mentioned areas and improve service collaboration. These services in turn
will result in improved survivor safety and perpetrator accountability. Trained
regional personnel, validated curriculum materials, and a plan developed by the
advisory council will ensure that efforts are sustained post federal funding.
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