By: Paige Scofield Campus Life Editor
Western Accessibility Awareness Month, came to a close with the one of their last events held in the Werner University Center, where WAAM teamed up with Abby’s House. On Feb. 21, Abby’s House director, Aislinn Addington, Ph.D., and Nikki Wood, a volunteer advocate, addressed an audience with the intention of informing them on emotional, physical and sexual abuse in the disability community.
“There are some topics relevant to the disability community, where Abby’s House could be helpful in raising some of that awareness,” said Addington. “Children with disabilities are four times more likely to experience violence than children without disabilities. Adults with disabilities are on and a half times more likely to be victims of violence than someone without a disability,” she said, quoting The World Health Organization.
According to The U.S. Department of Human Services on women’s health, “The issue of violence against women: women with disabilities are more likely to experience intimate partner violence, as well as sexual abuse and report longer periods of that abuse than other survivors,” Addington stated.
Addington began the presentation with those sobering facts, not to make the audience feel down or upset, but to “… set the stage for why it’s important to talk about these issues, and why Nikki and I wanted to come here today and start talking specifically about communication, and start talking about talking, to bring these issues to the forefront,” Addington explained. “To take away some of that stigma or shame that can come with some of these issues that are difficult to talk about.”
To begin the powerpoint Addington and Wood very broadly discussed relationships, whether that be romantic, platonic or familial relationships. They discussed boundaries that are set in each relationship, and that boundaries are going to be different for every person. They then moved on to discuss warning signs to notice if you or someone you know might be in a manipulative or violent relationship.
Those warning signs include, “Jealousy, does this person want to be with you constantly? Are they accusing you of cheating? Are they following you? Do they call you all the time? Are they abnormally jealous? This can be a warning sign something is not right,” said Addington. “Controlling behavior, is another warning sign,” added Addington. “Instincts are so good, listen to yourself and listen to your friends, you’re probably right if something doesn’t feel okay.”
She continues to discuss warning signs such as: isolation, blaming others for problems, disrespectful or cruel to others, insensitive to others and a lack of empathy.
“It’s patterns and escalation, it’s not just one thing. These may lead to something dangerous down the road,” stated Addington. “We’re looking at this in terms of partners, but you can also look a this in terms of caregivers, one might see these patterns in caregivers or one might see it in close friendships.”
Addington and Wood concluded their presentation by expressing to the audience that Abby’s House is open to everyone and is willing to listen and help with problems that anyone may be facing.
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