Help, harm or hinder? Non-governmental service providers' perspectives on families and gender-based violence against women with intellectual disabilities in South Africa. Issue 1 (2nd January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Meer, Talia; Combrinck, Helene
• Is Part Of: Disability & society. Volume 32:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 37
• Page End: 55
• Publication Date: 2017-01-02
• Subjects: Women with intellectual disability -- gender-based violence -- family caregivers -- social relational model of disability -- South Africa; People with disabilities -- Periodicals; People with disabilities -- Social conditions -- Periodicals; Special education -- Periodicals; Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; 362.4
• DOI: 10.1080/09687599.2016.1269639
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0968-7599

Abstract

Abstract: Through in-depth interviews with service providers from non-governmental organisations ( n = 58), this article describes the intricacy of familial relationships for women with intellectual disabilities in South Africa who experience gender-based violence. The findings suggest that families navigate social stigma, limited resources and isolation, whilst trying to be vigilant against gender-based violence and disability-related violence, and respond to it as it happens. However, family members are also simultaneously implicated in violence perpetration. We suggest that a social relational model of disability could help account for these crucial intra-familial dynamics.