Gender, Intersectionality & Domestic Violence
Tracks
Room 3: In-Person Only
| Tuesday, November 25, 2025 |
| 11:25 AM - 11:45 AM |
Overview
Sharon Granek, Safe Steps
Details
1. Different forms of violence experienced by people with disabilities
2. Support available in Victoria for victim/survivors with disabilities
3. How best to raise awareness about domestic and family with people with disabilities with a focus on people with a cognitive disability (Acquired Brain Injury - ABI or an intellectual disability). It is important that this cohort is enabled to make informed decisions about the steps to take to be safe
Speaker
Ms Sharon Granek
Disability Liaison Officer
Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre
Gender, Intersectionality & Domestic Violence
Presentation Overview
Women are at increased risk of experiencing family and domestic violence (FDV). This risk increases if the woman also has a disability.
Women with disabilities
- experience different types of family violence.
- are less likely to seek support
- face additional barriers when trying to leave or access services and support
The Safe Steps’ Disability Family Violence Crisis Response Initiative (DFVCRI) ensures all eligible people with disabilities (women. men, people from the LGBTIQ+ community, people who acquire a disability as part of the ageing process, caregivers who have children with disabilities, and/or people with a chronic health condition) can get the support they need including aids and equipment, support workers, or other short term disability related support while longer term plans are being made.
This session will explore
- the types of family violence that is experienced by someone with a disability
- signs to look for which may indicate family violence is occurring
- the work of Safe Steps’ Disability Liaison Officers
o Secondary consultations
o Providing training to mainstream services
o Providing pathways for more information and supports
o Resources we have developed
- the impact the DFVCRI makes, illustrated with deidentified case studies
- barriers to support if an NDIS participant is experiencing family or domestic violence
We will also look at actions to take to keep someone safe in their own home. This can be especially important for people with disabilities whose homes have been designed to meet their specific needs, and their support networks are all in the local community
We will finish with a discussion on how the Disability Advocacy and Family Violence sectors can work closer together, not only to support victim/survivors with disabilities but advocate for changes within existing services and systems.
Women with disabilities
- experience different types of family violence.
- are less likely to seek support
- face additional barriers when trying to leave or access services and support
The Safe Steps’ Disability Family Violence Crisis Response Initiative (DFVCRI) ensures all eligible people with disabilities (women. men, people from the LGBTIQ+ community, people who acquire a disability as part of the ageing process, caregivers who have children with disabilities, and/or people with a chronic health condition) can get the support they need including aids and equipment, support workers, or other short term disability related support while longer term plans are being made.
This session will explore
- the types of family violence that is experienced by someone with a disability
- signs to look for which may indicate family violence is occurring
- the work of Safe Steps’ Disability Liaison Officers
o Secondary consultations
o Providing training to mainstream services
o Providing pathways for more information and supports
o Resources we have developed
- the impact the DFVCRI makes, illustrated with deidentified case studies
- barriers to support if an NDIS participant is experiencing family or domestic violence
We will also look at actions to take to keep someone safe in their own home. This can be especially important for people with disabilities whose homes have been designed to meet their specific needs, and their support networks are all in the local community
We will finish with a discussion on how the Disability Advocacy and Family Violence sectors can work closer together, not only to support victim/survivors with disabilities but advocate for changes within existing services and systems.
Biography
My work history is in the disability, advocacy and family violence sectors As the Diversity and Equity Lead at Chisholm TAFE, I managed a project to increase workforce capacity to respond to family violence disclosures. I established the Disability Advocacy Resource Unit and currently work as a Disability Liaison Officer with Safe Steps.
Research projects I have completed include
- Cognitive Impairment and Family Violence - Misinterpreting behaviours of concern
- Voices Against Violence - a cross-sectoral partnership, reporting on the extent and nature of violence against women with disabilities
- Safeguarding the End of the Rainbow (with Transgender Victoria)
