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Domestic Violence Domestic Violence InitiativeInitiative

Serving Women, Men, & their Children w/ Serving Women, Men, & their Children w/ DisabilitiesDisabilities

Founded in 1985Founded in 1985www.dviforwomen.org

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Domestic Violence Initiative was founded in 1985 by Domestic Violence Initiative was founded in 1985 by the late Laura Hershey and Executive Director, the late Laura Hershey and Executive Director, Sharon Hickman. Sharon Hickman. DVI began with Ms. Sharon Hickman identifying a group of people that had no visibility in the community of Colorado. There were no community based organizations world supporting victims living with disabilities.  She began conducting support groups for Women with disabilities. What she found during those group sessions is that the number one concern for these women was their vulnerability to violence. Even if they reported no one believed them. There was no where for them to go. They felt trapped and isolated.

Sharon asked for help from Denver Center for Independent Living to develop services for these women and their children. With the help of Steve Segal, and United Way she was funded by a grant to begin a non-profit to provide direct victim services for this underserved population….AND THE REST IS HISTORY!

{{Domestic Violence Initiative (DVI) serve persons living Domestic Violence Initiative (DVI) serve persons living with disabilities who are victims of domestic violence, with disabilities who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, caregiver/elder abuse, and/ or stalking. sexual assault, caregiver/elder abuse, and/ or stalking.

Our safety related services Our safety related services include:include:

Affordable Housing CounselingCase ManagementCommunity EducationCommunity Resource NavigationCrisis Intervention ServicesDirect Court Support for Victims & System AgenciesEducation & AwarenessEmergency Financial ServicesMedical AccompanimentPeer SupportRelocation ServicesReferralsSafety PlanningStatewide Advocacy Services

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Americans with Americans with Disabilities Act Disabilities Act

(ADA)(ADA)The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of a disability in employment, State and local a disability in employment, State and local government, public accommodations, government, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications. It also applies to the telecommunications. It also applies to the United States Congress. United States Congress.

Why is the ADA important for Why is the ADA important for those that serve as victim those that serve as victim

advocates?advocates?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) gives civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities similar to those provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion.

- Short Answer: SERVING & TREATING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILIITES, EQUALLY, IS THE LAW!! NO EXCUSES & NO EXCEPTIONS TO THE RULE!

- “ Title II covers all activities of State and local governments regardless of the government’s entity size or receipt of Federal funding. Title II requires that State and local governments give people with disabilities an equal opportunity to benefit from all of their programs, services, and activities” (ADA).

What is the Definition of Disability?

Legal DefinitionLegal DefinitionAn individual with a disability is defined by the ADA as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment (ADA).

This definition is needed and important for all persons living with disabilities who are in need of and/or are looking for services. When they are looking for things such as housing, benefits, etc. they need to know how the law defines a person who is living with a disability.

It affects the criminal justice system because if there is a crime against a person living with a disability, those charges against the perpetrator may be higher. However, the victim living with a disability will need be defined under the legal definition for those charges to be heightened.

While the Deaf & Hard of Hearing Community do not identify as persons living with a disability, DVI will provide services to this community.

DVI serves any victim that identifies as living with ANY type of disability.

Balance Disorder Somatosensory Impairment

Nonvisible Disabilities*

Nonvisible Disabilities include but not limited to the following chronic disorders: diabetes, asthma, fibromyalgia, lupus, etc.

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Tra

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I)Per the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious public health problem in the United States. Each year, traumatic brain injuries contribute to a substantial number of deaths and cases of permanent disability. Every year, at least 1.7 million TBIs occur either as an isolated injury or along with other injuries.1

A TBI is caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain. Not all blows or jolts to the head result in a TBI. The severity of a TBI may range from “mild,” i.e., a brief change in mental status or consciousness to “severe,” i.e., an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia after the injury. The majority of TBIs that occur each year are concussions or other forms of mild TBI.2

CDC’s research and programs work to prevent TBI and help people better recognize, respond, and recover if a TBI occurs.

Domestic violence (DV) is a common cause of brain injury in women, who constitute the vast majority of victims of severe physical violence by an intimate partner. The head and face are common targets of intimate partner assaults, and victims often suffer head, neck and facial injuries. One study of women in shelter found that the vast majority had been hit in the head or severely shaken by their partners, most more than once. The more times they had been hit in the head or shaken, the more severe, and the more frequent, were their symptoms.

A victim of domestic violence may suffer a TBI without knowing it if she had no severe trauma or obvious symptoms at first, or if she did not lose consciousness, or received no medical care.

COMMON SYMPTOMSTBI can lead to impairments, ranging from to mild to severe, in cognition (thinking), emotions, behavior, and physical functioning. The person with a TBI may or may not recognize that they are having problems. The most common symptoms reported are headaches, severe fatigue, memory loss, depression, and difficulty communicating. Other problems experienced by people who have brain injuries include:Cognitive difficulties, such as decreased ability to concentrate, pay attention and solve problems, and communication difficulties.

Difficulty with executive functioning, such as difficulty making decisions, considering long-term consequences, taking initiative, feeling motivated, and starting and finishing actions; dis-inhibition and impulsiveness.

Changes in behavior, personality or temperament, such as irritability, difficulty tolerating frustration, and emotional expression that doesn’t fit the situation.

Physical effects, such as vision problems, insomnia, loss of coordination, and seizures.

SCREENINGThe New York State Office for the Prevention of domestic violence suggest providers ALWAYS screen victims. Domestic violence service providers. Screen everyone who seeks DV services for TBI. A brief screening tool that was designed to be used by professionals who are not TBI experts is the HELPS.2 HELPS is an acronym for the most important questions to ask:H = Were you hit in the head? E = Did you seek emergency room treatment? L = Did you lose consciousness? (Not everyone who suffers a TBI loses consciousness.) P = Are you having problems with concentration and memory? S = Did you experience sickness or other physical problems following the injury (NYS OPDV, 2013)?

If you suspect a victim has a brain injury, or she answers “yes” to any of these questions, help her get an evaluation by a medical or neuropsychological professional – especially if she has suffered repeated brain injuries, which may decrease her ability to recover and increase her risk of death. If she wishes, reach out to the TBI service provider with information about DV, what support she needs, and what services are available to her. Look for ways to work together.

ACCESSIBILITY ACCESSIBILITY

The Office for Victims of Crime States, “Despite the high rate of crime estimated to be committed against people with disabilities, many victim assistance agencies report that they rarely serve crime victims from this population, not because they don’t exist, but because acts and that acts of physical aggression, domestic violence, sexual assault, and other crimes against persons with disabilities often go unreported” (OVC, 2012). Question: Why?

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ATTITUDNIAL ACCESSIBILITY

-How comfortable are you are people w/disabilities? -Preconceived Notions-The Spread Affect-Fear-Denial (Hidden Disabilities)

LACK OF NECESSITIES

-INCOME-MOBILITY- RESOURCES-FAMILY SUPPORT

 STIGMA (BRANDING)

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DVI STATSDVI STATS

99% of the survivors DVI 99% of the survivors DVI served in 2012 fell BELOW served in 2012 fell BELOW the federal poverty the federal poverty guidelines.guidelines.

More than 50% of the More than 50% of the survivors DVI served in 2012 survivors DVI served in 2012 experienced chronic experienced chronic homelessness.homelessness.

More than 50% of the More than 50% of the survivors DVI served in 2012 survivors DVI served in 2012 have no transportation. have no transportation.

More than 75% of the More than 75% of the survivors served by DVI have survivors served by DVI have been living the cycle of been living the cycle of victimization since childhood.victimization since childhood.

More than 30% of the More than 30% of the survivors served by DVI are survivors served by DVI are repeat clients. repeat clients.

{{DeterminantsDeterminants

By now you are aware of some of the myriad By now you are aware of some of the myriad of issues and factors that are attributed to of issues and factors that are attributed to why people with disabilities do not report why people with disabilities do not report crime(s), receive adequate services, and/or crime(s), receive adequate services, and/or any services at all.any services at all.

WHILE REVIEWING SOME OF DVI’S WHILE REVIEWING SOME OF DVI’S CASE STUDIES, LET’S THINK ABOUT:CASE STUDIES, LET’S THINK ABOUT:

1.) CHALLENGES TO ACCESSING 1.) CHALLENGES TO ACCESSING SERVICESSERVICES

2.) THINGS TO CONSIDER WHILE 2.) THINGS TO CONSIDER WHILE PROVIDING PROVIDING CULTURALLY CULTURALLY

APPROPRIATEAPPROPRIATE SERVICES. SERVICES.

BEGINNING THE BEGINNING THE WORK STARTS HEREWORK STARTS HERE

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Accessing Victim Accessing Victim ServicesServices

- Attitudes and Attitudes and LabelsLabels

- Knowledge of the Knowledge of the disabilitiesdisabilities

- Effective Effective CommunicationCommunication

- Physical Access & Physical Access & MobilityMobility

- Fear of Fear of ConsequencesConsequences

- IsolationIsolation

Things to ConsiderThings to Consider

- Immediate NeedsImmediate Needs- Long-term Needs Long-term Needs - Self-Sufficiency & Self-Sufficiency &

IndependenceIndependence- How valuable are How valuable are

the resources & the resources & referrals you will referrals you will provide?provide?

- Safety Planning Safety Planning - What does it look What does it look

like?like?

QUESTIONS ADVOCATES MUST ADDRESS WHILE SERVING VICTIMS WITH DISABILITIES:

1)What are the challenges to accessing DV, SA, Caregiver/Elder Abuse, and/or program services? And, as the advocate, how will you address them?

2)From the perspective of the DV, SA, …and disability advocate, what are client’s strengths and how will you build on them?

3)How would you handle the divisive atmosphere or discord between your client and __________? What would you say to your client and __________?

4)How would you assist your client in planning for short and long –term needs?

5)What strategies would you discuss with your client to support their safety in general?

CASE STUDY #1“Fall” (pseudonym) is a 62 year old woman with Uterine

Cancer and severe Anxiety and Bi Polar disorder. She

fled the abuser (husband) and relocated to Colorado to

be with her children. Upon her arrival, she applied for

Food Stamps and Medicaid. Additionally, she needed to

find an attorney to file for divorce. She has been married

to her abuser for over thirty- five years. She was denied

all possible benefits (Health Insurance and Food stamps)

because she and her husband shared assets. She now

needed an attorney for more than a divorce. She was

denied pro bono legal representation.

CASE STUDY #2“Winter” (pseudonym) is a transgender woman suffering from

extreme Depression, PTSD, Prostate Cancer, a Speech

Impediment, and Anxiety Disorder. She uses a wheelchair 80% of

the day because her Neuropathy has worsened. “Winter” is a

victim of domestic violence. During the recent attack, before

fleeing, she suffered a blow to the head; which doctors later stated

that she suffered a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). “ Winter” left and

was afraid to go back home. Winter called a local shelter and was

told that she wouldn’t be able to stay there because her driver’s

license didn’t state she was a female.

CASE STUDY #3“Spring” (pseudonym) is a victim of domestic violence.

She is in imminent danger. After calling to check for

availability, her victim advocate refers her to a shelter.

Upon calling to inquire and proceed through the intake

process, “Spring” is asked if she has any disabilities.

“Spring” states that she has severe PTSD, Diabetes, and

due to the severity of her Neuropathy, she utilizes a

wheelchair. The case manager determined that the

shelter wouldn’t be a good fit for her and apologized.

BEST PRACTICES!!!

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It is important to have It is important to have knowledge of issues related to knowledge of issues related to disability. It is not enough to disability. It is not enough to rely on your supervisor and/or rely on your supervisor and/or victim services coordinator to victim services coordinator to have all of the answers. have all of the answers.

-Remember to Research Remember to Research

-Ask QuestionsAsk Questions

-Serve with integrityServe with integrity- EthicsEthics- EmpathyEmpathy- Equality Equality

KNOWLEDGE IS KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!!!POWER!!!