We invite you to the parliamentary launch of We Matter Too! The needs of disabled young people facing domestic abuse.
This event is for anyone working with young and disabled people – in domestic abuse as well as other projects that support them.
Date: 2nd July 2019
Time: 5:00pm to 7:00pm.
If you want to attend this launch, just fill in the form at the bottom of this page.
About We Matter Too!
We Matter Too! addresses the needs of disabled young people facing domestic abuse.
The project was funded by the Lloyds Bank Foundation as part of a series of projects looking at domestic violence. It explored gaps in domestic abuse service provisions and awareness of practitioners working with disabled young people, as identified by SafeLives and Women’s Aid. ACT, in partnership with Anita Franklin at Coventry University, carried out work that specifically addresses the needs of young disabled people.
We sought the views of young people and of staff working in domestic abuse services. So we invited disabled children and young people to explore their understanding of domestic abuse, disability, and services, We asked for their opinions on how to support the development of positive practice.
As part of the project, we have spoken to a range of young people both individually and in groups. We interviewed more than 30 practitioners from a wide range of national, strategic and front-line services focusing on disability and domestic abuse.
Goals and Aims
The We Matter Too! project aims to:
- Improve responses to young disabled people who are experiencing domestic abuse.
- Make young disabled people safer, and improve practice.
- Change cultures and help workers to challenge.
- Help young disabled people recognise their rights to safety, and to access the help they need when they are not safe.
- Give a voice to the experiences of young disabled people.
Why This Matters
Disabled people are twice as likely to experience domestic abuse than non-disabled people. But they are less visible in services.
Disabled young people face 3.4 times more risks of harm and abuse. So what would 3.4 times more work look like to keep them safe?
We want to help all professionals reflect on the extent to which their services address the abuse of disabled young people in relationships. We’re inviting you to think about the role you can play to help disabled young people learn about healthy relationships, and their rights to help and support.
About the Launch
This is an exciting opportunity to raise awareness of the increased risks of domestic abuse faced by disabled young people. The practice research explores the links between abuse in and outside the home. It also touches on themes including isolation, dependence, power, and control.
Sarah Champion, MP for Rotherham, will host our launch. She has worked tirelessly to address sexual exploitation and abuse.
Other speakers include:
- Jess Phillips, MP
- Jane Evans, SafeLives
- Fay Maxted, Survivors Trust
- Lisa Scivetti, manager, refuge for women with learning disabilities
- Sue Ready, NIDAS
- Sam Baker, DeafHope
- Sarah Goff, Ann Craft Trust
We hope the launch will encourage discussion and debate about policy, adult-children’s service collaboration, front-line practice and reach. We want to start a conversation about how services can become more accessible to marginalised young people.
At the launch, we’ll discuss our findings, the training materials, factsheets, and the good practice suggestions we developed as part of the project.