Intellectual disability and gender violence: Comprehensive intervention program

Abstract

In general, all people with intellectual disabilities have difficulties to exercise their civil and social rights. Within this deficit of citizenship, women with intellectual disabilities suffer triple discrimination: as a woman, because of her disability and because this is an intellectual disability. In this paper we present a comprehensive intervention program that aims to address three specific needs: the fight against abuse and violence, the support for women with intellectual disabilities who are mothers and the promotion of employment as a tool for empowerment. This paper addresses each of the above issues: fight against abuse, support for mothers and employment promotion. The tools discussed to address these objectives are different in each case but contain two common features which are essential to ensure positive results. From one side, training and information for women with intellectual disabilities in all these matters especially the need to raise awareness in the whole society in order to promote their full inclusion. Thanks to the comprehensive intervention program, a greatest impact to the situation of exclusion and discrimination against women with intellectual disabilities has been given. A total of 311 people with disabilities are been trained in how to identify and deal with situations of abuse and violence; there is a greater awareness in groups involved in the care of victims; a total of 17 women have received specialized support contributing to the improvement of the family’s quality of life. On the other hand, the supported employment as a key tool for personal autonomy, allowing 8 women to be included in the labor market. Access to opportunities is the main objective of this program. To this end, specific and individualized work to each woman needs is the key to ensure we are providing the required support. Currently, there are more women with intellectual disabilities who are trained and they would identify an abusive situation. Mothers with disabilities have a support network that allows them to raise her children in a standardized environment, and the results affect both the mother's self-esteem and the children development. Finally, women with disabilities do not remain as a dependent and carer figure and seek their place in society through employment.