“All I wanted was a happy life”: the struggles of women with learning disabilities to raise their children whilst also experiencing domestic violence

Abstract

Women with learning disabilities are especially vulnerable to domestic violence from partners. The lives of mothers with learning disabilities who experience domestic violence are very challenging. This in-depth qualitative study of 6 mothers with learning disabilities in the UK uses interpretative phenomenological analysis to explore the impact of domestic violence on the women and children. The women reported violent conceptions and violent pregnancies, perpetrators sabotaging the mother-child bond, living with a broad spectrum of abuse and their feelings about having their children removed from their care. Recommendations are made for professional and informal support of these women