16 Days: How are autistic women and women with ADHD affected by violence?
16 Days: How are autistic women and women with ADHD affected by violence?
The 16 Days of activism against gender-based violence runs every year from 25th November (International Day to End Violence against Women) to 10th December (Human Rights Day). Since then, the WI movement continues to take part in the 16 days of Activism every year to show our solidarity and support to survivors and to remember those we have tragically lost.
As part of this year’s campaign, we want to shed a light on how autistic and ADHD women are more like to suffer from violence, abuse, and coercive control than their neurotypical peers.
Women, in general, are more likely to be victims of violence than men, and this intersects with neurodiversity. Autistic and ADHD women are more likely to suffer from violence in a variety of interlinked ways, but we want to highlight eight reasons so we can better understand this connection:
- People with autism and ADHD are less likely to recognise that they are experiencing violence, abuse, and/or coercive control.
Neurodiverse women may communicate differently, making it difficult to navigate social situations, set boundaries, or recognise inappropriate behaviour. This can lead to increased susceptibility to exploitation or abuse.
- People with ADHD and/or autism are more likely to have an increased dependency on caregivers and therefore susceptible to coercive control.
Many neurodiverse individuals may have difficulties independently living, managing personal care, or making informed decisions. Neurodiverse peopletherefore risk thinking a bad relationship is preferable in comparison to no relationship. This can increase the likelihood of being manipulated or controlled by someone in a position of power.
- People with ADHD and autism may face greater difficulty escaping abusive situations.
Women with ADHD may find it more challenging to plan a safe exit from an abusive relationship due to difficulties in organising and executing long-term plans. They may be more likely to remain in harmful situations because they cannot see a clear way out or may feel overwhelmed by the task of escaping.
- Neurodivergent women and girls are more likely than men and boys to ‘mask’ that they do not experience violence.
One gendered difference in the presentation of neurodiversity, particularly autism, is the occurrence of ‘masking’ behaviours. Autistic women often mimic socially expected behaviours to fit in with their peers and conform to the expectations of those around them.Societal expectations that platonic, romantic, and familial relationships should be happy and healthy, can cause autistic people to mask the difficulties they are facing within their relationships.
- Neurodivergent young people are more likely to be excluded from sex and relationships education.
Parents or schools may remove them from classes, worrying that their children won’t understand or don’t need sex education. Neurodivergent young people are therefore less likely to have learned about informed consent or healthy interpersonal interaction in romantic relationships.
- People with ADHD and Autism are more likely to suffer from mental health issues, suicidal ideation, and perform self-harm activities, due to the increased risk of having depression.
This could be caused or exacerbated by experiencing bullying or other traumas. These conditions can make them more susceptible to violence and abuse, especially if they struggle with emotional regulation or have a history of trauma.
- People with autism and ADHD are less likely to report domestic violence and abuse.
Autistic women may have trouble describing their experiences of abuse or recognising their own trauma. Their communication challenges, can make it harder to report abuse or explain what has happened to them.
- When people with autism and ADHD report their experiences of domestic violence and abuse, they are less likely to be believed than their neurotypical counterparts.
In some cases, when an autistic woman does try to report abuse, her behaviour might be misinterpreted as "odd" or "disconnected." Law enforcement, social workers, or even family members might dismiss her accounts, viewing her as unreliable or not recognizing her distress signals. This can prevent them from getting the support or protection they need.
The WI is working hard to ensure all women live a life free from the fear of violence.
We encourage members to get involved in a number of ways including supporting local women’s refuges, holding community events, writing to their MP and Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and we can support you to do all of these things.
If you’re not already, consider joining the WI as a member or as a supporter and join us in campaigning to support survivors and ensure specialist support services receive the funding and support they need to continue their critical work.
Get in touch with us at pa@nfwi.org.uk
Sources of Support:
- (24/7 confidential free phones that provide help and advice about violence against women and domestic abuse)
- National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247
- Bilingual Live Free Helpline (Wales): 0808 8010 800
- National LGBTQ+ Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0800 999 5428
- Find your local service: www.womensaid.org.uk/domestic-abuse-directory
References and Further Reading:
https://bedsdv.org.uk/neurodiversity-and-domestic-abuse/
https://www.durham.ac.uk/news-events/latest-news/2024/04/autistic-guide-to-healthy-relationships/
https://www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/media/8513/report-neurodiversity-and-violence.pdf