December 2022 – Present
Study Title: A qualitative meta-synthesis of the lived experiences of gender-based violence among women with disabilities
Funding: Knowledge Synthesis Grant supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE)
Research Coordinators:
- Sarah Norris, MSW, PhD Student (Health, Dalhousie University)
- Tori Lewis, BA, BSW, MSW Student (University of Windsor), RSW
Collaborators:
- Dr. Stephanie Baird (Co-Investigator), Assistant Professor, School of Social Work, King’s University College at Western University
- Dr. Laura Pacheco (Co-Investigator), Assistant Professor, School of Social Work, Memorial University
About the Study:
Women with disabilities encounter a high risk of violence, especially in Canada. Canadians with disabilities are twice as likely to experience violent victimization as nondisabled people and face a wider range of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. For instance, abuse can include withholding equipment, aids, and medication and leaving women in physically uncomfortable positions for extended periods. Gender-based violence (GBV) among women with disabilities is a global endemic. Yet, the lack of attention from GBV and disability researchers has contributed to the invisibility of the victimization of women with disabilities.
In this study, we conducted a qualitative meta-synthesis to 1) understand and amplify the lived experiences of GBV among women with disabilities; 2) explore how GBV impacts women with disabilities who have other marginalized identities (e.g., women of colour, women living in poverty; sexual and gender minority women); 3) identify the barriers to and methods of seeking support related to GBV among women with disabilities; and 4) identify best practices for social and community organizations who support women with disabilities who have experienced GBV.
Progress: We are currently engaged in knowledge mobilization initiatives!
Results: Knowledge Synthesis Evidence-Brief [Available!]; Knowledge Synthesis Full Report [Available!]
Publications Related to This Project
Goulden, A., Baird, S., Romme, K., Pacheco, L., Norris, S., Norris, D., Faye, L., MacNeil, S., & Pittman, J. (2023). Experiences of gender-based violence among disabled women: A qualitative systematic review and meta-synthesis protocol. International Journal of Qualitative Methods.
Presentations Related to This Project
Goulden, A., Baird, S., & Ajike, T. (2023, June 29). Experiences of gender-based violence among disabled women: A qualitative systematic review and meta-synthesis [Forum session]. KSG Knowledge Mobilization Forum Gender-Based Violence, Government of Canada.