Intimate Partner Violence among Persons with Disabilities

One in 6 individuals worldwide have a disability, increasing their risk for intimate partner violence and other forms of abuse, and representing a significant human rights and public health problem. Clinicians, advocates, and researchers should ensure that their physical environments, screening practices, and research designs are accessible and inclusive. Furthermore, those serving people with disabilities (PWD) need to be aware that abuse can take different forms depending on the types of disabilities, and such abuse may be inflicted by caregivers as well as intimate partners. Disability is not monolithic. Multiple marginalized identities can intersect with violence and affect an individual’s health, access to healthcare, and trust in institutions. Addressing disparities in IPV and other forms of abuse experienced by PWD, is needed to improve the health and wellbeing of a significantly marginalized population.