KEY POINTS:
Many people with disabilities who are victims of domestic abuse are not speaking out about their experiences, the National Network of Stopping Violence Services says.
Network manager Brian Gardner said people with disabilities who had experienced domestic violence frequently faced disbelief and minimisation when they did make a complaint.
"We believe many people with disabilities ... do not come forward because they fear they won't be believed and action won't be taken."
Disability spokeswoman for the network Lorri Mackness said it was establishing a working party of people with disabilities to advise it on ways to encourage them to come forward and speak out about the violence.
The wider community also needed to recognise domestic violence happened in institutions where people were abused by carers, she said.
"We need to ensure that all people experiencing violence in the domestic setting are heard and supported. Violence is a crime whether it is done by a partner, sibling, flatmate or caregiver."
Violence in institutions needed to be treated like any other domestic violence situation, Ms Mackness said.
"Police need to be called, a police report needs to be filed and a copy sent to the nearest family violence service."
Mr Gardner said the network had heard of caregivers being transferred to another institution following complaints of abuse by residents, despite the fact a crime had been committed and a criminal response was required.
- NZPA
