The survey showed that about half of the population justifies violence against a woman with a mental disability

Experts call such attitudes unacceptable, associate them with myths surrounding disabilities and warn that they deepen the establishment of a certain part of people on the fringes of society.

Tend to justify violence

According to the data of a representative public opinion poll, as many as 7 out of 10 residents justify the financial control of a partner or spouse when a woman has an intellectual disability, half – when a woman with a psychosocial disability experiences violence.

A similar trend can be seen when it comes to social control – 51 percent, respectively. and 38 percent of those interviewed agree that a man can decide with whom and when a woman meets.

The study revealed that in cases of violence, residents often tend to blame the victims: 41 percent. they believe that women with intellectual disabilities often provoke their partner’s violence themselves. More than a third have the same opinion about women with psychosocial disabilities. Almost half of the respondents believe that women with these disabilities tend to exaggerate and “thicken the colors” when they experience violence.

“We see that strong myths about intellectual and psychosocial disability still prevail in society. It is wrongly assumed that those of us who experience these disabilities are fundamentally different, as if less human. That’s why clearly unacceptable behavior is justified,” comments Aurelija Auškalnytė, project manager of the non-governmental organization “Mental Health Perspectives”.

Traumatic experiences are devalued

She points out that intellectual disability does not mean that a person must lose all independence.

“I will give you an example. A person with an intellectual disability usually cannot think abstractly or write long complex sentences. It is not surprising if he takes and spends a large part of his money on his favorite treats, without assessing that there is money left over for other purchases. Does this mean we can appropriate this person’s money and spend it only as we see fit? No way. It just means that he may need help planning his expenses”, says A. Auškalnytė.

According to the expert, it is important to understand that a person with an intellectual disability, like everyone else, wants to live safely and with quality, to make decisions by himself, resents injustice, can make mistakes, etc.

Speaking about domestic violence, A. Auškalnytė emphasizes that women’s experiences are often underestimated both due to disability and gender stereotypes.

“Women with psychosocial or intellectual disabilities are more likely to experience domestic violence, and when they seek help, they are met with disbelief. It’s not for nothing that we keep hearing the derogatory term “hysterical” in our language. It is also used when women with mental health disorders do not want to hear the traumatic experiences of violence in their stories,” she says.

Disability carries stigma

Evaluating the survey data, Mintautė Jurkutė, an expert at the Office of the Equal Opportunities Controller, says that they are related to the general situation of domestic violence in the country.

“Statistics show that violence against women is a widespread phenomenon, and when disability contributes, it becomes even more vulnerable, because it is covered by concern for an allegedly incompetent person. For example, a ban on work, use of finances, restrictions on meetings and other freedoms. In this way, people are pushed to the fringes of society even more. This especially applies to intellectual and psychosocial disabilities, which, as the survey showed, are particularly stigmatized in Lithuania, compared to, for example, hearing or movement disabilities,” she states.

According to M. Jurkutė, the reason for this is the lack of knowledge, which leads to false beliefs and various fears.

“According to the survey data, it can be seen that many residents do not distinguish intellectual disability from psychosocial disability. They tend to defeat women with one or another disability, to justify violence against them. Such attitudes are more characteristic of men, as well as of older people (from 70 years old) and persons with incomplete secondary education. The least tolerant of violence are women and people with higher education,” says the representative of the Office of the Equal Opportunities Controller.

Can be independent

According to representatives of the “Psychic Health Perspective” organization, intellectual disability is related to intellectual disorders present from birth and is experienced when faced with obstacles in the environment, such as complex instructions, underestimating others, etc. Intellectual disability is experienced by people with Down syndrome, some people with autism spectrum disorder. Meanwhile, psychosocial disability is determined by mental health disorders that are acquired and can change over time, it is experienced when faced with obstacles in the environment, for example, lack of help, discrimination due to the available psychiatric diagnosis, etc.

According to experts, in most cases, people with these disabilities can successfully adapt, work, study and live independently, with proper support, care and openness of the community.

A representative survey of the Lithuanian population was conducted on March 15-23, 2024. It was conducted by the public opinion and market research center “Vilmorus”. 1000 people over 18 were surveyed. age persons living in the 31st municipality of Lithuania.

If you notice or hear about cases of violence, it is important not to remain indifferent and to provide appropriate help in time:

• Call the general emergency number 112
• Contact the specialized complex assistance center at tel. +370 700 55516 (emotional support, legal advice)
• More information about violence and help contacts: visureikalas.lt

Information from the Office of the Equal Opportunities Ombudsman