NCJ Number
113494
Date Published
1985
Length
24 pages
Annotation
After providing general information on the rape and sexual exploitation of disabled persons, this paper suggests a general strategy for treating such victims and provides specific guidelines for services to sexual assault victims with particular disabilities.
Abstract
For the purposes of this paper, a disabled person is anyone 'who has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities.' Such persons are particularly vulnerable to sexual assault and exploitation, because sex offenders view them as helpless. Persons who sexually assault persons with disabilities have the same profile as those who assault persons without disabilities. In 90 percent of cases, the attacker is well-known to the victim. Sexual exploitation or harassment is common in schools and workshops for disabled persons. In providing services to disabled victims, a co-management strategy should be adopted. This involves cooperation between the victim and caregiver in case decisionmaking and service implementation. This paper offers recommendations for victim services to persons with the following categories of disabilities: mobility impairment, mental illness, developmental disabilities, visual impairment, and disability resulting from the attack. Information on serving such disabled sexual assault victims covers the interview, medical examination, legal issues, and community services. 3 footnotes, 2 resources.