People with learning disabilities are up to three times as likely to experience domestic abuse. 16% of women with a long-term illness or disability had experienced domestic abuse compared to 6.8% of non-disabled women.  

We know that sometimes social workers and health professionals don’t ask people with disabilities about their relationships. This can make it hard to talk about any fears you might have in relationships with your partner, children or other family members.  

If you are worried about how someone else is treating you, we will take the time to listen and understand your experience.  

We know that there can be many barriers to safety for you especially if the person who is harming you is formally your carer or if you are caring for them. If you are struggling to have your own voice or make decisions about your life and you are frightened of what might happen to you if you do make your own choices then please talk to us.  

We will work with you to understand what is going on and what would make you feel and be safer.   

We can work with the professionals involved in your care and help them and you to understand what is happening.  

If you are ready to talk to us please do call us on 01737 771350 or email support@esdas.org.uk and someone will call you back.  We can use assistive technology, hearing loops and support workers to help you be understood and get the right support. Our office is accessible and we can use safer community spaces if that works for you.  

Useful Links

“Us too” is a group of disabled and autistic women who have built a toolkit for other disabled survivors, you can read through this here: Choice Support | Domestic abuse.