Justice perspectives of women with disability: An Australian story
| Author | Kate Fitz-Gibbon,Jude McCulloch,Jasmine McGowan,JaneMaree Maher,Sandra Walklate |
| Date | 01 May 2021 |
| DOI | 10.1177/0269758020906270 |
| Published date | 01 May 2021 |
| Subject Matter | Special section articles |
Special section article
Justice perspectives
of women with disability:
An Australian story
Jude McCulloch
Monash University, Australia
JaneMaree Maher
Monash University, Australia
Sandra Walklate
Monash University, Australia
Jasmine McGowan
Monash University, Australia
Kate Fitz-Gibbon
Monash University, Australia
Abstract
The article explores the meaning of ‘justice’ for women with disability who have experienced and
reported violent crimes, typically, sexual assault and family violence. It contributes to the small
body of literature that considers justice as articulated by those who have experienced violence and
represents the only published research that brings to the fore perspectives on justice from the
viewpoint of women with disability. Based on interviews and focus groups with 36 women with
disability in the Australian states of Victoria and New South Wales, it explores these women’s
‘justice’ ideals and the gap between those ideals and the responses they received from the service
and criminal justice systems. Mostly, the women’s desired outcomes in response to reports of
violence were focused on recognition of what had occurred, an acknowledgement of their rights
and status, and a pathway to security and safety. These desires related to justice were linked to
being able to leave a situation of danger, retain custody of children, have access to care and
advocacy services and gain a sense of safety or, sometimes, simply survive. The women’s desires
Corresponding author:
Jude McCulloch, Monash Gender and Family Violence Prevention Centre, Monash University, 20 Chancellors Walk, Room
E474, Clayton Campus, Victoria, 3800, Australia.
Email: Jude.mcculloch@monash.edu
International Review of Victimology
2021, Vol. 27(2) 196–210
ªThe Author(s) 2020
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DOI: 10.1177/0269758020906270
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