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30 Jul 2025, by Amy Sarcevic
When experiencing family or domestic violence, supports like refuge accommodation and behaviour change programs for perpetrators can be a lifeline for those affected.
But for people with disability – who represent a large portion of survivors – these options can be off limits.
As Shannon Miller, Disability and Family Violence Practice Leader, at the Centre Against Violence highlights, refuge centres often lack disability provisions and can be inaccessible by wheelchair.
Programs to correct violent behaviour can also be prohibitive for those with intellectual difficulties.
“In most cases, people with disability are automatically deemed ineligible for these services, and they’re application is closed with no action and no referral to any service. That means perpetrators continue to use violence against people in their life; and their victims remain at risk,” he said, ahead of the National Disability Summit.
Change is needed
While some services have attempted to address their own barriers, Shannon said many still need further provisions to meet the needs of people with disability.
“Some services aren’t unequipped with the skillsets to support these people; and many model their improvements on stereotypes,” he said.
“For example, a refuge centre might put a ramp in and make the entrance accessible for people who use wheelchairs. But once inside, the wheelchairs can’t fit through the bedroom door or manoeuvre appropriately through the building.
“We’ve seen cases where there has been an emergency, because of an escalation, or a perpetrator entering the property, and the emergency exits have not been accessible, because the wheelchairs don’t fit.”
Shannon has also seen cases where people living with intellectual disability have not fully understood instructions on what to do when there’s a crisis, when they need something, or if a perpetrator is trying to contact them.
“The exit plans and intake documents are often written in a way that doesn’t clearly convey important information to someone with intellectual disability. There are no easy-to-read guides that explain the service or what the clients’ rights are.”
Invisible disabilities also tend to be overlooked, he said, with centres generally unprepared to accommodate the full range of complex issues among people experiencing violence.
“Their services might not be visibly accessible or welcoming to someone with autism, for example,” he said.
Adding to the disadvantage
According to Shannon, this adds to the disadvantage people with disability already face in the context of family and domestic violence.
“These people are already more vulnerable,” he said. “For some, it can be more challenging to self-advocate, because they may have difficulty communicating, or don’t have access to the right representation. This can translate to challenges in gaining custody, for example.
“With the extra challenges they face when seeking support, people with disability can become entrenched in risky situations, for much longer than those who live without a disability.”
Leading change
Shannon’s role is to support these individuals and advocate for equity. He works tirelessly with professionals to help them upskill, understand red flags, and raise concerns.
“I try to bridge the gap and address any barriers domestic violence services have when getting the right support for their clients. That’s whether they’re working with someone who is experiencing or using family violence,” he said.
Shannon’s work to this end is diverse, but has some clear overarching goals.
“We want to improve the visibility of people with a disability, ensure more can walk through the doors of domestic and family violence services, and get the best possible outcomes.
“We’re supporting providers and services with this work internally, so it’s embedded in their practise and not something that they require someone external to come and support them with.”
The Disability and Family Violence Initiative is currently funded by the Victorian Government until June 2026, but Shannon hopes the program will expand throughout Australia and be a permanent support for people with a Disability.
“We are working towards a situation where there isn’t a need for someone like myself, anywhere in Australia,” he said.
Further insight
Shannon Miller will join an expert panel at this year’s National Disability Summit, where he will share more on the crucial work his team is doing in this space.
Titled ‘Justice, Safety and Rights: Responding to Violence and Criminalisation in the Disability Sector’ the panel will also hear insights from Debbie Phillips, Senior Sergeant, Disability & Elder Abuse Coordinator, Domestic, Family Violence and Vulnerable Persons Unit, QLD Police; and Jeswynn Yogaratnam, Commissioner, NT Anti-Discrimination Commission, Principal Community Visitor, Community Visitor Program.
Learn more and register your tickets here.
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