Adults with disabilities are significantly more likely to be victims of violence than those who are typically developing, according to a new global analysis.
Those with disabilities experience physical or sexual attacks at one-and-a-half times the rate of their typically developing peers. Meanwhile, individuals with mental illness face a four times greater risk than the general population.
The findings come from a report published online Tuesday in the journal The Lancet that reviewed 26 studies examining the experiences of 21,500 people with physical and mental disabilities from seven countries — the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and South Africa.
Overall, the analysis indicated that about 3 percent of individuals with physical, mental, emotional or health difficulties were victims of violence in the last year. But the rate was double — 6 percent — for those with intellectual disabilities.
And the risk is likely to be even higher than the analysis suggests, according to those behind the report.
“Lifetime exposure to violence, and the proportions of individuals with disability who are directly threatened with violence or otherwise live in fear of becoming a victim, are likely to be substantially higher than our estimate,” said Mark Bellis of Liverpool John Moores University in England, who led the study.
The researchers behind the report said further data is needed to better understand the true problem facing those with disabilities worldwide, particularly in low and middle-income countries.
My son was recently a victim of abuse by a staff member at his program. Special Victims Unit has tried to discourage me immedietly saying his word will not stand up in court because of his disability (Down Syndrome). The program tried to throw it under the rug until I brought the police there. It is very upsetting that the perpetrator can choose his victim so easily, knowing he will get away with it. I am writting letters to Albany, Congress, etc. in the hopes that someone will stand up for him. In this day & age society and law enforcement should recognize the value each individual holds and treat them with the utmost respect.
In an age when we are moving people with intellectual and developmental challenges into more integrated settings within their communities, and at the same time severely cutting the funding of the lifetime supports they need to not only be successful but to, in fact, survive, I have deep concerns for my daughter and her colleagues worldwide as they struggle to overcome obstacles that may include crimes against them.
No suprise in these findings. Back in 2005 a Neo-Nazi/White Supremecist Group left “hate literature” @ the end of our driveway here @ my family home here in Salem, NH where I live. The “incident” was “logged” by the Southern Poverty Law Center in Atlanta, GA. Being an adult with Autism & Cerebral Palsy & being LGBT, I am an “easy target”. I should also note, that back in high school I was severely bullied, & I received a huge # of “death threats” directed @ me if I ever tried to “apply for employment” anwhere in Salem, NH, for “as long as I live”, & the notes stuffed into my school locker were always signed with a Nazi Swastika. Being almost age 54 now, I have not even “once” ever “applied for employment” here in my “Home Town” of Salem, New Hampshire for the past 38 years. I simply “put up & shut up”, simply to “survive” to be an “adult”. This is my 1st mentioning my being “victimized” this way as an Autistic with Cerebral Palsy.
Being an LGBT Autistic with Cerebral Palsy, I have been in “combat mode” for decades.
Recently, a NH State Legislator (R) (& part of the “Tea Party”) in a neighboring town “verbally trashed me” over the Internet for being a “Godless Sinner” & damned me to “Hell” for “daring” to “speak up” for the “Civil Rights” for the estimated 1/5 of us adult Autistics who are LGBT who would be harmed by “repeal of Gay Marriage/Civil Unions”, & against another bill which would in effect permit “Jim Crow” style discrimination against LGBT persons here in New Hampshire.
Being an “advocate” for “Civil Rights” is shall I say, “rather dangerous”, whether is is for Disabled Rights or LGBT rights.
Just a fair warning, that when it comes to “sticking up for onself & others”, that one is a “sore thumb target”.
My 27-year-old daughter,( MIMH, autism, Asperger’s) was sexually and physically abused by 2 people she knew. Although reported, the state of IN has a statute which prevented the case from being prosecuted because she could have gotten away from them. I gave the police the names of several experts in the autism field who had agreed to talk about the reasons she would not have left, but these people were never contacted. Very sad.
This is such a sad finding but one which we all probably did not need a survey to tell us. Recently there was an incident in Dallas, Texas involving two paratransit drivers who were accused of sexually abusing a young mentally handicapped woman. As the evidence unfolded, another suspect emerged. A guy who works as a care giver at her day center was also found to be engaging in sexual conduct with the young lady. Though the presumption of innocence is their legal right, the mounting evidence suggest that this poor young lady was being used as a sexual crash test dummy for several individuals intrusted with her well being.
this is wrong aboutn people with disabilities and should not be tolerated reading about it this way
Being victimized via bullying, assault (sexual or otherwise) is pretty rampant here in the US when it comes to persons with disabilities. We are perceived as “weak” & can not “stick up for ourselves”.
self-advocacy & banding with other self-advocates is a way to feel “empowered”. Even as adults, we have a “right” to safety & to be accepted for “who we are”, not what our disability makes us look like.