Silent Voices: Women With Disabilities and Family and Domestic Violence

By Judith Cockram, PhD

Appendix One

Introduction' and 'Guidelines for Referral and Support' for interviewing individual women in stage two of the research project on Women with Disabilities and Family and Domestic Violence.

The goal is to enable the research team, in responding to women with a disability, who have or are experiencing Family Violence.

The underlying assumption is that participation in the research may raise complex issues for women, emotionally and socially. This may result in emotional trauma immediately or in the future, as memories are re-ignited. It may initiate fear of retribution from a carer.

To ensure a safe environment a number of Principles are articulated below plus an outline of procedural matters to guide the interview process.

Principles

• Confidentiality and Privacy. Research participants must have a clear understanding and knowledge how these two principles apply to their participation in the project. Where assistance in communicating with participants is required, care needs to be taken to re-enforce confidentiality.
• Informed Consent. Women must only participate in the research on a basis of informed consent. This means the researchers describing the purpose and methodology and potential outcomes. Plus, the potential for the research process to raise emotional responses. Informed Consent also entails the researchers checking with the woman prior to the commencement of, and during the interview, that she is comfortable to continue.
• Personal Support. Acknowledging to the participants that talking about experiences of violence and abuse can be emotionally disturbing or create flashbacks that reignite memories either during the research or later. Giving reassurance that there are systems of support in the community and that this can be outside the field of Disability services.
• Provision of knowledge and understanding on the issue of family and domestic violence. Participants may have limited understanding of the parameters of the issue and may not identify varying forms of behaviour as abuse. Likewise it may be culturally or socially difficult for them to announce some forms of violence for example sexual abuse or assault.
• Provision of information. The researchers have a role in ensuring participants have information about appropriate and relevant support services for the future.
• Allowing sufficient time. The researchers may find participants will require varying periods of time. Some may need hours to explore their own story, the issues involved and a re-assessment of how those issues were dealt with at the time.
• Debriefing for researchers. Interviews of this nature can raise anxiety and/or distress to varying levels for the interviewer. It is essential they have access to a debriefing process between interviews as required. Members of the Reference committee with relevant expertise could be utilised.

Within the interview a number of procedures need to be followed:

Interview process

The researcher needs to provide an outline of what is commonly regarded as abusive or violent behaviours. For example the behaviours listed in question 9 of the questionnaire could be talked through and spoken of, but not limited to, as behaviours most often reported by women.

It will also facilitate the interview if the researchers state that the common understanding of family and domestic violence is where abuse and violence occurs where one person in the relationship consistently dominates the other person, uses fear inducing behaviours to control the other and to determine what must happen in the relationship. Within the parameters of the definition it is generally understood that family and domestic violence is not about people who have equal power in the relationship or where both may consistently or sporadically use violence and abuse to determine outcomes. Family and domestic violence is not a family argument.

Further, that family and domestic violence often occurs after the relationship has ended (the individuals have separated). It can mean one member will pursue the fear inducing behaviour to enforce a reunion. Alternatively the enforcement may be manipulative behaviours such as promises or the wine and roses treatment.

The researchers also need to acknowledge to participants that talking about their experiences during the interview may raise complex and emotional responses. The researchers should provide relevant information about the support options available, for example - Women's groups, Outreach services - and explain how to contact them. The participants should also be given the information in a relevant format, which includes the names and telephone numbers of service providers to access support (See below).

Services Available

• Domestic Violence Advocacy service Joondalup. This free service is for women in the northern suburbs. A woman can self refer. She will be offered information and support. She can enter a women's group run locally. Paulette is the Administrator who will answer phone calls. The phone number is 9300 1022.
• Outreach service of Nardine Wimmin's Refuge. This free service is for women across the metropolitan area, in the community (not residing in a refuge), who need support and information on domestic violence. The Outreach service has women's groups during the year. It is run by two women job sharing - Karen or Gillian. The phone number is 9470 3628.
• Women's Health Care House. Aberdeen Street Northbridge. The Domestic Violence worker, Eloise Magalizza, offers individual free counselling to women. Also provides women's groups and ongoing support to women in the community. The phone number is 9227 8122.
• Multicultural Women's Advocacy Service. A support service for women of non-English speaking backgrounds and access to ethnic workers. The Coordinator is Fauziah Varusay. The phone number is 9328 1200
• Relationships Australia Incorporated. This agency has a number of offices in metropolitan Perth. Contact to the local office can be made via the 1300 number where the receptionist will make an appointment. They offer counselling on a fee basis for individuals or couples on any life matters including domestic violence. They run women and men's groups relating to domestic violence. The phone number is 1300 364 277
• Centrecare Marriage and Family Service. This agency provides individual counselling on all relationship matters, including domestic violence. A sliding scale of fees is normally charged. If the fee is not affordable and the counselling is for domestic violence, women can request a fee reduction. In such cases a reduction or waiver will normally be granted. Centrecare also provide free support groups for women who have experienced domestic violence. Contact the Client Liaison Officer (currently Kathryn). The phone number is 9325 6644
• Kinway Relationship Counselling and Education Services. This agency provides individual counselling on domestic violence. A sliding scale of fees is normally charged, however if unaffordable can be reduced. Groups for women victims of domestic violence are also available - a donation is requested. Contact Sheena Edwards. The phone number is 9263 2050
• Family Helpline, Department of Community Development. This government department runs a number of crisis phone lines. They state that a person can gain some telephone counselling by ringing the Family Helpline. It is a 24-hour service and free. It is necessary that a person make it clear they wish to talk about domestic violence. This helpline is also the after business hours contact number for Disability Services Commission and has listing of all the residents of DSC accommodation services in the event of harm, confusion or injury. The phone number is 9223 1100.

  Crisis Care Unit is a special unit within the department for any emergencies after business hours. If you ring during business hours you will be put through to the local office of the department. The phone number is 9223 1111.

• Domestic Violence Helpline for men. The Department of Community Development. This is a phone service and is available for short consultation by phone to men who want to talk to someone when they fear they may be or have been abusive or violent towards a family member. The phone number is 1800 000 599.
• Domestic Violence Children's Counselling service. This is specifically for children who may have directly experienced violence within the family or have witnessed violence and abuse. It is a free counselling service. Appointments are necessary. The phone number is 9328 1888.
• The Domestic Violence Legal Unit. This is part of the Legal Aid Commission. It provides legal information on rights and means of gaining Restraining Orders by phone or appointment and has a duty Lawyer at the Perth court. For regional and country women who experience difficulties in gaining access to a lawyer, the Unit will assist. The Coordinator is Nawdy Roussetty. The phone number is 9261 6254.
• Women's Information Service. This is part of the Office of Women's Policy and is a general information phone service and can provide information on a range of women's services. The phone number is 9264 1900.
• The People 1st Programme (PIP), offers educational services for people with an intellectual disability, for parents, family members and for services providers. Protective and human relationships and self-esteem education are a major aspect of one-to-one services we provide. PIP also offers counselling services to complement education where appropriate. Educational fees are $40 per annum for people 18 years and over. The Manager is Ruth Keszia Whiteside The phone number is 9227 641

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