Assessing formal service providers’ readiness to address IPV among women with disabilities in Sweden: A mixed-methods analysis

Women with disabilities face a heightened risk of intimate partner violence (IPV), yet formal support systems often remain ill-equipped to address their specific needs. This study assesses indicators of readiness among formal service providers in Sweden, including healthcare, social services, shelters, the police, and the Centre against Violence, to support women with disabilities who experience IPV. Employing a sequential exploratory mixed-methods design, the study combined qualitative interviews (N = 18) with a national survey (N = 1,151). Data analysis was guided by an adapted version of Colombini et al.’s readiness framework, focusing on structural, organizational, and provider-level dimensions. The findings indicate that, at the structural level, reported facilitators of readiness include functional collaborative spaces, coordination, and knowledge-sharing mechanisms. However, fragmented inter-institutional collaboration and limited resources emerged as key barriers to the structural conditions required to optimally support women with disabilities subjected to IPV. At the organizational level, readiness was hindered by the absence of disability-inclusive IPV guidelines and persistent accessibility barriers, such as physical, information, and communication inaccessibility. At the provider level, many service providers expressed a need for more training on disability-specific issues, often relying instead upon personal experience or peer support when handling IPV cases. Nonetheless, supportive workplace environments and collegial networks were identified as key enablers of emotional resilience and professional learning. The findings of this study underscore the need for inclusive policies, comprehensive targeted training, and inter-sectoral collaboration to enhance the readiness of IPV support systems for women with disabilities. A truly prepared IPV support system would integrate disability-specific routines, ensure accessibility across all service dimensions, and nurture a supportive environment for IPV service providers. Addressing both systemic and interpersonal aspects is essential to improving the quality and continuity of IPV support for women with disabilities in Sweden.