No longer silent

This research is the second phase of a project conducted by RESOLVE Alberta in partnership with the Action Committee on Disabilities and Abuse. The first report, entitled "Persons with Disabilities across the Lifespan: Program Scan and Community Stakeholder Needs Assessment," was authored by Tutty, Moorey, LeDrew, Jesso, Ondejko and Tenzin. It comprised an environmental scan of services specific to individuals with disabilities who have been abused in some manner; and qualitative interviews with Calgary service representatives from both the disabilities and the family violence sectors. The second phase of the research presents the analysis of interviews with a small number of individuals who have disabilities and have experienced abuse, to gather their experiences and impressions about the services they did or did not receive to assist them in coping with the abuse. In conjunction with the input from the Calgary service providers, their important voices will be used to construct recommendations to improve services and better address their needs.