Power and Control Tactics Used Against Women with Disabilities

Physical

• pushing a person out of her wheelchair
• hurting her service animal
• hitting, shaking, and burning
• the administration of poisonous substances or in appropriate drugs
• inappropriate handling of personal or medical care
• over-use of restraint or inappropriate behavior modification
• false information given to the medical/psychiatric community resulting in wrongful diagnosis

Emotional

• isolating a person from family and friends
• intensely criticizing a person that needs assistance with her daily activities
• withholding love and affection
• verbal attacks
• taunting, threats (of withdrawal of services or of institutionalization), insults and harassment

Economic

• a caregiver stealing money
• misusing financial resources
• lying about the state of a person’s finances
• the denial of access to, and control over, individuals’ own funds
• forcing a person to lie to or exploit governmental benefit systems

Verbal

• telling a woman with a disability that she will be sent to a nursing home and lose her freedom if she reports the violence
• implying that physical violence will be committed (e.g., I’m going to kick your butt)

Sexual Abuse

• forcing a person to perform sexual favors in exchange for assistance with essential services (bathing, eating)
• unwanted or forced sexual contact, touching, or displays of sexual parts
• threats of harm or coercion in connection with sexual activity
• denial of sexuality and of sexual education
• forced abortion, birth control or sterilization

Spiritual

• refusing to allow a person that needs assistance to practice her chosen customs
• telling a person her or his disability is the result of sin
• spiritual isolation and spiritual embarrassment
• mocking, ridiculing, or even denying practice of someone’s spiritual beliefs
• unfairly using sacred practices to control a person: to justify abuse, or to prevent safety or healing

Women with Disabilities Power and Control Wheel