I have a disability/disabilities

Domestic and family violence is when someone is hurting you or treating you badly. The person hurting you could be your husband or partner, your parent or child or another family member. The abuser could also be your carer or someone who shares your house.

Abuse is not always physical. You may be hurt in other ways. There are many different forms of abuse:

  • emotional abuse can hurt your mind and your feelings. It happens when someone:
    • constantly tells you that you can't do anything right, that you are stupid
    • tells you no one else in the world could love you or
    • tells you that no one will let you keep your children if you leave
  • social abuse can hurt all your other relationships. It can include when someone:
    • stops you from seeing your friends, family and support workers
    • makes you feel guilty about going to work or joining a club
    • demands to know where you are all the time
    • makes it difficult for you to talk to other people
  • financial abuse is when someone takes control of your money when you don't want them to, or stops you from having any money
  • sexual abuse is when someone makes you do sexual things that you don't want to do. Forcing you to have sex is a crime, even if you are married.
  • physical abuse includes pushing, hitting, throwing things, or threatening to hurt you, your children, family, pets or guide dog.

To see pictures that show what domestic violence is like, see the Looking After Me kit for women with intellectual disabilities by the Penrith Women's Health Centre on the Women's Health NSW website.

If you are a person with a disability and think you might be experiencing domestic violence, there are services available to help you.

Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline

Free call: 1800 880 052

NSW Disability Discrimination Legal Centre

Phone: 02 9310 7722 (Open Tue, Wed and Fri between 9.30 am and 12.30 pm). For residents in Sydney, please call 02 8014 7000 
Free call: 1800 800 708 (NSW only)
TTY: 02 9310 4320
Website: www.ddlcnsw.org.au

Intellectual Disability Rights Service

Phone: 02 9318 0144  
Free call: 1800 666 611      
Website: www.idrs.org.au

People With Disabilities Australia

Phone: 02 9370 3100
Free call: 1800 422 015
TTY: 02 9318 2138
TTY free call: 1800 422 016
Email: pwd@pwd.org.au
Website: www.pwd.org.au

People with a hearing impairment

For callers who are deaf or have a hearing impairment please call 1800 671 442 to access the TTY service associated with the Domestic Violence Line.

Information produced by the Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria (republished with permission).