Learning Disabilities and Autism
The Us Too project was delivered by Arc from 2019-2021 and involved working with women with learning disabilities and autism who had experienced domestic abuse.
Two guidance documents were developed by the project group and quality assured by Cambs DASV - there is a guide for domestic abuse and sexual violence services when working with victims/survivors with LD and Autism and also a guide for social care (which can also be used by Health services)
Both documents can be accessed below
Us-Too-A-Guide-for-Social-Care-Services.pdf
Us-Too-A-Guide-for-Domestic-Abuse-Sexual-Violence-Services.pdf
Guidance for professionals working with people with Learning Disabilities who have experienced sexual violence and abuse
LimeCulture created this resource, developed with input from learning disability organisations and ISVA services, to raise awareness of local ISVA Services among disability organisations, and to support disability organisations to strengthen their internal processes to ensure appropriate referrals are made for the individuals they support. The DASV Partnership supported the development of this guidance and support its use across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
Below are versions of our leaflets in Easy Read format created in Partnership with VoiceAbility - they may be suitable for people with learning disabilities.
We also have an Accessible version that may be helpful for people with communication or literacy challenges.
Opening Closed Doors is about Domestic Abuse
Self Help Guide is about recovering from sexual violence
Deaf survivors of domestic abuse
Locally, Cambridgeshire Deaf Association run The Freedom Programme in BSL. For more information please visit Freedom Programme (Domestic Abuse Course for Deaf Women) – CDA (cambsdeaf.org)
National organisation Deaf Hope have a range of resources as well as a national hotline (available 9-5 Monday -Friday) DeafHope – Together We Can End Violence (deaf-hope.org)
Contact the Deaf hotline nationaldeafhotline@adwas.org VP: 855.812.1001
Parents with Learning Disabilities
Parents with learning disabilities may experience a range of needs and difficulties, including a physical or sensory impairment and/or long-term health condition, mental health problems, domestic violence, substance abuse problems. A study of the US child protection system found that parents with learning disabilities are slightly more likely to experience psychological or emotional abuse than other forms of domestic abuse.
The guidance below comes from the University of Bristol and the Working Together With Parents Network.