The Relationship Between Speech and Language Disorders and Violence Against Women: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Violence against women with disabilities has received more attention in recent years recognizing the intersectionality of experiences of abuse, yet little is known about the less visible forms of disability such as speech and language disorders. This review aimed to identify and synthesize existing literature exploring the relationship between speech and language disorders and victimization, including child sexual abuse (CSA), exposure to domestic violence in childhood, and intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual assault in adulthood. Five electronic databases were systematically searched using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Reviews guidelines. Studies were included if they were English-language peer-reviewed articles or grey literature publications focusing on domestic violence and/or sexual assault and speech and language disorders. Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria. The findings showed a clear link between childhood exposure to domestic violence and/or CSA and speech and language disorders. Women with speech and language disorders appear to be at heightened risk of IPV and sexual assault relative to the general population. Nonfatal strangulation emerged as a growing area of concern in the literature with acute and chronic symptoms requiring treatment from speech and language therapists. Practice implications include enhanced training at the undergraduate and professional level for therapists to better identify and respond to suspected abuse in their patients. Emergency and specialist support services need protocols and training to better support women with speech and language disorders. Future research should examine the help-seeking behavior of women with speech and language disorders post-victimization and collect longitudinal data to understand the long-term consequences of abuse.