This resource describes the ‘spectrum’ of forms of resistance and helps identify how it can take place in the workplace when implementing preventing initiatives. This tool will help to better identify and challenge barriers of ableism and gender inequality in workplaces to prevent violence against women with disabilities.

What is Backlash and Resistance?

These are terms commonly used to describe responses to social action and change. When we progress towards more disability and gender inclusive workplaces, communities and society, backlash and resistance can appear in a variety of ways that show ingrained beliefs, structures, or patterns that support ableism and gender inequality. When we begin to experience progress, direct and indirect forms of backlash and resistance can become more common and create harm against women with disabilities. Anticipating the potential for backlash and resistance means that how we work to prevent violence against women with disabilities can be more sustainable and include more people to take on this work.

How to use this resource

The following tool describes a ‘spectrum’ of backlash and resistance to help identify how it often can take place in the workplace when preventing violence against women with disabilities. This resource has been designed for anyone who is practicing actions to prevent, challenge, or stop violence against women with disabilities before it begins. We have drawn these categories from other prevention materials which use the same names: Denial, Disavowal, Inaction, Appeasement, Appropriation, Co-Option, Repression and Backlash1. The examples draw from a variety of settings and are not definitive - you might be able to think of others as well. We hope that using this tool will help you to better identify and challenge ableism and gender inequality in your workplace so that you can prevent violence against women with disabilities