DYSPRAXIA AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE According to the Womans aid survey,all women have at least one in four chances of experincing domestic violence. Greater Manchester police statistics show thatthrer were15,000 domestic violence incidents reported between April1997 and March 1998. The vast majority (88%) were attacks on women (Manchester Crime and Disorder Strategy). Acording to Hauge and Malos (1993) "The commom expression 'rule of thumb', the origin of expression derives from the right of man to beat his wife with a stick providing it is no thicker than his thumb" In Britian the law allowing women to be punished in this way was stopped in 1829,but the beatings still cary on. In my opinion women living with dyspraxia are more likley to experience domestic violence, due to them being unable to meet the steryotypical gender roles society expects women to achieve. For example good house keeping skills, cooking ironing caused by having a hidden disability. A non dyspraxic partner can criticuise their dyspraxic partner in a cruel way in front of their children and encourage the children to join in with the ridicule. A woman living with dyspraxia may have difficulties maintainig the perfect fashionable groomed appearence potrayed by the media, due to her co-ordination difficulties. She may have problems brushing her hair and putting on make-up. She may choose clothes that are easy to fasten which may not be the latest fashion, causing their partner to criticisce her for not making an effort to look good for him. A mother living with dyspraxia may have difficulties with childcare, this may be criticised if the dyspraxia is not recognised or the father may refuse to help and ignore her needs. This added stress can make mild dyspraxia more severe. In my experience many women who live with dyspraxia suffer bulying and discrimination from an early age. This results in internalised oppression and low self esteem. This can continue when she is an adult if her dyspraxia is misunderstood at work. Men who are controling are more likely to choose a woman who has low self esteem for their partner, because of their vunerabilty. Especialy if she has not developed the self confidence to make decisions for herself, due to low expectations and of society,others lack of understanding or due to the label dyspraxia. This learned helplesness can affect a dyspraxic womans self esteem and also explain the circumstances of isolation and dependence and isolation in which those woman find themselves. If any woman is experiencing domestic violence they can contact the following phone numbers for support Refuge 24-hour National Crisis line 020 8644 9914 Woman's Aid National Domestic violence helpline 0345 023486 |