Domestic Violence Exchange Supports exist for people with disabilities who experience domestic abuse By Lori Berkey, Contributing Writer 04/7/2006

Region - Reaching out for assistance in dealing with domestic violence situations can be a difficult step for those involved. When a person in an abusive relationship has a disability, accessing support can have heightened challenges. But help is available, and local service providers recently shared input about ways victims can receive aid.
   Terry Sloat is the executive director of Greater Marlborough Programs Inc. (GMPI), a multi-service agency that serves people with developmental disabilities. She said people with developmental disabilities can be more vulnerable to various forms of abuse, including financial and emotional abuse, as well as abuse at their workplace by people who may try to take advantage of them.
   Denise Vojackova, GMPI's director of residences, said the agency has a system to safeguard against abuse in the residence programs. Finances are closely monitored, with itemized receipts being logged to make sure residents' funds are not being misused. To ensure residents are not being abused in any way by anyone - including by a staff person - she said, staff members work in teams and all personnel are mandated to report any suspected abuse.
   Anyone can utilize the 24-hour hotline offered by the commonwealth of Massachusetts Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC) to report abuse, Vojackova said. If someone in the community who does not have a disability sees someone with a disability getting abused, calling the DPPC hotline is a way to help that person, she added. (See resource list for phone number).
   When individuals with developmental disabilities are not living in a supervised residence, intervention can be tougher to come by. However, Sloat said, if people are living outside of a supervised residence, they can have easier access to support by participating in group recreational opportunities in the community. In this setting, she added, people can get to know them and be able to intervene when something is wrong. The Department of Mental Retardation can steer people toward available programming, she added.
   By participating in community-based activities, Vojackova said, the people become their own advocates for themselves.
   "They form this team of friendships and they're the ones who advocate for one another," Vojackova said. "They are the ones who will notice things probably more than anyone else."
   "One of the important things for the community," Sloat added, "is to get to know the folks."
   People with developmental disabilities are very much a part of the community, Sloat said, and by the community getting to know them, fears about advocating for someone or reporting abuse can be alleviated and equal treatment can prevail.
   According to Vojackova, individuals with developmental disabilities may not be vocal about issues of abuse, but concerned persons may be able to recognize a problem by observing changes in the victim's behavior. Withdrawing from social activities or other areas of interest can be a clue that someone is experiencing a difficulty, she said.
   Maintaining a relationship with a service organization and keeping those lines of communication open for help are important, she added.
   Against Domestic Violence in Shrewsbury Education Project (ADVISE), a grass-roots volunteer-based organization, has been involved in ongoing efforts to educate the community about domestic violence issues. ADVISE recently began discussions with Shrewsbury Media Connection (SMC) about airing the video, "Breaking the Circle," and including a panel discussion for a Shrewsbury Public Access Channel (SPAC) program this spring. Produced and directed by Shrewsbury native Timothy Trotto, "Breaking the Circle" documents the path of a woman who is deaf as she escapes from an abusive relationship.
   The video was aired publicly at the Hoagland-Pincus Conference Center in October 2004. ADVISE member Helen McLaughlin said ADVISE decided to air the video again and add a panel discussion of service providers in order to continue educating the community about the issue. She said ADVISE is considering bringing the program to other local cable television stations so that residents of other towns can have viewing access.
   The schedule for SPAC programs is updated on the SMC Web site as programs are booked and air times near. For a schedule of SPAC programs, visit www.shrewsbury-ma.gov/smc/index.asp.
   According to Chris Hilditch, the clinical director at Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services (SYFS), although accessing support for domestic violence situations can be challenging for some people with disabilities, strategies can be implemented so people can get the help they need. She has recommendations for people who are unable to make phone calls themselves or who cannot drive somewhere to seek services. She suggests that people enlist the support of a friend, relative or neighbor who might be able to assist in making a phone call or arranging transportation to a social service organization when faced with an abusive situation.
   "I'd like people in the community to know," Hilditch said, "that we as an agency can help connect individuals with disabilities who are in an abusive situation with the appropriate resources. They can call ADVISE or Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services and get advice on what next steps to take and it can be confidential, they don't have to give their names."

Editor's note: This column is made possible through a partnership with Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services (SYFS) and Against Domestic Violence In Shrewsbury Education Project (ADVISE). Special acknowledgements go to Christine Hilditch, MA, LMHC, clinical director at SYFS, and Janet Trippi, cochair of ADVISE, for sharing their expertise and for their assistance in coordinating input from other community resources.