Dating and Domestic Violence

Serving Survivors with Mental Health Disabilities

Each May, we observe Mental Health Awareness Month. It is a time to celebrate the resilience of people with mental health disabilities and honor their voices as they work to …

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A Conversation on Serving Deaf Survivors

Deaf individuals in the U.S. experience rates of domestic and/or sexual violence equal to or higher than hearing individuals, with emerging research pointing to rates twice that of hearing individuals. …
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A Conversation on Serving Deaf Survivors

Deaf individuals in the U.S. experience rates of domestic and/or sexual violence equal to or higher than hearing individuals, with emerging research pointing to rates twice that of hearing individuals. From 911 systems that only take phone calls to victim service providers not providing American Sign Language interpreters, Deaf survivors routinely face barriers when reaching out for help. Through this conversation with Deaf advocates, you will gain insight into the experiences of Deaf survivors, get a better understanding of the barriers they encounter, and practical information on how to better meet the needs of Deaf survivors.
One Year Later: Reflections on Sustaining Services for Survivors with Disabilities During COVID-19

The past year has brought unprecedented challenges and evolving landscapes for all of us. For those who were already underserved – such as survivors with disabilities – COVID-19 amplified the …
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One Year Later: Reflections on Sustaining Services for Survivors with Disabilities During COVID-19

The past year has brought unprecedented challenges and evolving landscapes for all of us. For those who were already underserved – such as survivors with disabilities – COVID-19 amplified the barriers that exist to have their healing and justice support needs met, and further increased their experiences of isolation. Providers have leveraged their creativity, flexibility and relationships to adapt and ensure that survivors with disabilities were able to sustain services during this difficult time.

In this panel discussion, participants will hear from providers on the strategies they used to sustain services to survivors with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Panelists will also explore the enduring challenges survivors with disabilities face as this health crisis continues, and their hopes for the future.

Vera Institute of Justice
Meeting the Needs of Immigrant Survivors with Disabilities

Survivors with disabilities who have immigrated to the United States face challenges in reporting victimization and receiving services. Language barriers, a lack of a support network in the United States, …
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Meeting the Needs of Immigrant Survivors with Disabilities

Survivors with disabilities who have immigrated to the United States face challenges in reporting victimization and receiving services. Language barriers, a lack of a support network in the United States, difficulties accessing services, and lack of knowledge of the criminal justice system or services available will pose barriers for immigrant survivors. When the survivor also has a disability, they face additional challenges to services and healing. This webinar reviews some best practices for service providers working with immigrant survivors with disabilities.

Vera Institute of Justice
A Conversation on Serving Survivors with Disabilities

Research has shown that people with disabilities experience increased risk of domestic and sexual violence compared to people without disabilities. They also experience unique challenges in receiving healing and support, …
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A Conversation on Serving Survivors with Disabilities

Research has shown that people with disabilities experience increased risk of domestic and sexual violence compared to people without disabilities. They also experience unique challenges in receiving healing and support, everything from receiving outreach for services through participating in programming. This conversation will help you begin to understand the unique dynamics of sexual and domestic violence in the lives of people with disabilities and the barriers they face when seeking services. You will also receive practical guidance for making your services safer and more accessible for all!

Vera Institute of Justice
How Safe are Americans with Disabilities?

While people with disabilities make up nearly one-fifth of the U.S. population, they remain largely invisible to society at large, and victim response systems in particular. And despite growing public …
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How Safe are Americans with Disabilities?

While people with disabilities make up nearly one-fifth of the U.S. population, they remain largely invisible to society at large, and victim response systems in particular. And despite growing public awareness of violent victimization, it excludes the victimization of people with disabilities, who are at particular risk of serious violent crime, including rape, sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated assault. As victims, people with disabilities face formidable barriers to getting related support.

This brief provides basic information on disability in the United States. It explores what is known about violent victimization of people with disabilities and the factors that contribute to their higher risk of experiencing violent crime. It also explains the obstacles people with disabilities encounter when seeking access to the services and supports they need to heal. Finally, it stresses the limits of existing victim-service, human-service, and criminal justice systems, policies, and practices in responding to violence against people with disabilities.

Vera Institute of Justice
Meeting the Needs of Autistic Survivors

Autistic people live in a society that was not designed for them: one in which they are often forced to conceal who they are and are unable to receive the …
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Meeting the Needs of Autistic Survivors

Autistic people live in a society that was not designed for them: one in which they are often forced to conceal who they are and are unable to receive the accommodations they need. When autistic people also experience victimization, they are more likely to experience barriers to accessing services, stigma, and a fundamental misunderstanding of their needs from the systems set up for justice and healing.

This webinar, featuring Max Barrows of Green Mountain Self-Advocates and Kaitlin Shetler of the Vera Institute of Justice, addresses the barriers autistic survivors face in seeking healing services following sexual and domestic violence and ways in which service providers can better meet their needs.

Vera Institute of Justice
Meeting the Needs of American Indian and Alaska Native Survivors with Disabilities

During this webinar, Amanda Watson, Program Director at Praxis International, will explore ways in which programs can better understand the cultural implications of working with AI/AN survivors with disabilities and …
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Meeting the Needs of American Indian and Alaska Native Survivors with Disabilities

During this webinar, Amanda Watson, Program Director at Praxis International, will explore ways in which programs can better understand the cultural implications of working with AI/AN survivors with disabilities and provide guidance on strategies for best serving them.

Vera Institute of Justice
Closing the Gap Between Values and Reality: Disability Inclusion in Culturally Specific Work

Culturally specific domestic violence and sexual assault programs have always known that when you create services by focusing on those in the margins, you end up with better services for …
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Closing the Gap Between Values and Reality: Disability Inclusion in Culturally Specific Work

Culturally specific domestic violence and sexual assault programs have always known that when you create services by focusing on those in the margins, you end up with better services for everyone. When this is your core value, you also understand that to create services you focus your attention on those at the very edge of the margins. That, however, is often easier said than done. In this webinar, Luana Nelson-Brown discusses how to close the gap between knowing it’s important to reach those at the edge of the margins and actually doing it by discussing strategies to serve survivors with disabilities in marginalized communities; and why when we do so we close the gap between our stated values and our actual practices.

Vera Institute of Justice
Technology as a Tool for Advocacy: Accessible and Safe Use of Technology to Serve Survivors with Disabilities During COVID-19 and Beyond

COVID-19 is requiring programs to rapidly adapt their advocacy for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The creative use of technology to serve survivors creates an opportunity to develop an …
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Technology as a Tool for Advocacy: Accessible and Safe Use of Technology to Serve Survivors with Disabilities During COVID-19 and Beyond

COVID-19 is requiring programs to rapidly adapt their advocacy for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The creative use of technology to serve survivors creates an opportunity to develop an approach to advocacy that can benefit survivors with disabilities and Deaf survivors in the long term. As these adaptations are taking place, it is critical to ensure both the safety and accessibility of the tools being used. Thoughtful implementation of accessible technology now can permanently transform advocacy for survivors with disabilities and Deaf survivors. In this webinar, Rachel Gibson of the National Network to End Domestic Violence’s Safety Net Team will review best practices for using technology to ensure that it is safe, accessible, and confidential for all.

Vera Institute of Justice