Partners in Care has secured funding from the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner to adapt an animation from Sandwell, ‘Domestic Abuse and Disability: It Happens to Us Too’, to raise awareness of the often-hidden issue of domestic abuse and adults with a disability.
Nationally, it is understood that there is an increased risk of experiencing domestic abuse as an adult with a disability. Disabled people experience disproportionately higher rates of domestic abuse compared to the general population, and adults with a learning disability are three times more likely to experience domestic abuse (Office for National Statistics, 2021).
It may be more challenging for adults with a disability to report their experience of domestic abuse because of a dependence on the person causing the harm.
In Shropshire, within the adult safeguarding process, supporting adults with care and support needs who may be experiencing or are at risk of abuse, domestic abuse has been the most prevalent type of abuse for around six years.
The use of the animation has been endorsed by Shropshire Safeguarding Community Partnership and Telford and Wrekin Safeguarding Partnership. The Shropshire Domestic Abuse Local Partnership Board said:
“Shropshire Domestic Abuse Local Partnership Board approved the support of this funding application in 2023. We feel it is important to continue raising awareness of all forms of domestic abuse and highlight the often-hidden victims, such as those with disabilities.”
David Crosby, Chief Officer, Partners in Care said:
“Partners in Care is delighted to have secured funding from the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner to adapt this important animation. It supports our aim to shine a spotlight on the less talked about issue of domestic abuse of adults with a disability.”
The animation addresses issues around domestic abuse and disability and looks at an example of how an adult who was experiencing domestic abuse was supported by a specialist domestic abuse agency and adult safeguarding.
You can watch the animation on the Partners in Care YouTube channel in the Domestic Abuse Playlist here.