Women may be abused regardless of socio-economic status, age, sexual orientation, profession (including sex trade), mental health status, gender, citizenship status, physical ability, religion, language, race, culture or ethnicity. For example, pregnant women are not immune from abuse. Indeed, clinical evidence shows that it is not uncommon for abuse to start or to increase during pregnancy with adverse affects on the mother and fetus. There is a higher incidence of abuse to pregnant and parenting women, with even greater risk to pregnant or parenting teens.

Recent clinical findings show that elder abuse is on the rise, yet it is highly under-reported. Often unrecognized as victims of abuse, disabled and elderly women are at an increased risk of being abused because of their inability to flee the abuse and/or report it. Symptoms of the abuse are often minimized or go undetected because of the symptoms related to the disability and/or age. She may also be reluctant to report her family member or be unaware of her rights.

Although psychiatrized women may experience similar issues as disabled and elderly women they are not often able to access appropriate supports and services. Psychiatrized women include those who have a DSM IV diagnosis (see Glossary, Appendix C) and may be or have been involved in the mental health system. Psychiatrized women are further marginalized when the mental health system accepts and believes the abusive partner?s forms of manipulation of this system. No woman should be refused service and/or not believed based on her ability or mental health status.

There are similar difficulties identified in assisting women from diverse cultures who are abused. York Region is home to diverse and multicultural communities. Women from these communities and who may be immigrants or refugees warrant increased culturally appropriate supports and services in the community.

In addition to the physical, sexual, stalking/harassment, emotional/psychological, and financial indicators listed previously, there are specific indicators that are highlighted here for pregnant women, elderly women, disabled women, and women from different cultures and ethnic backgrounds.