NCJ Number
132828
Date Published
1991
Length
14 pages
Annotation
A literature review, supplemented by two Canadian pilot studies, was used to determine the nature and extent of risk for sexual abuse among persons with disabilities and to ascertain whether current prevention and treatment services meet the needs of such persons.
Abstract
Although the individual studies examined have limitations, they clearly show that people with disabilities are at greater risk for sexual abuse. Although most of the reviewed data came from outside Canada, the agreement of the pilot data with the non-Canadian studies suggests that the findings can be generalized to reflect Canadian sexual abuse patterns. The extent of increased risk is unclear; although a number of factors may be likely contributors, the mechanism for increased risk is uncertain. The literature review as well as the pilot studies suggest that current prevention efforts and treatment services often fail to meet the needs of disabled persons. Researchers and clinicians must change their focus from documentation of the extent of the problem to the development of appropriate prevention and treatment services for disabled persons. Prevention and victims' services should be fully integrated with those services provided nondisabled children and adults whenever possible. Special educators should review the philosophy of curricula to increase the focus on assertiveness, choice, discrimination of appropriate and inappropriate requests, and improved sex education. Legal safeguards, including standards for caregivers and improved legal rights for disabled victims of abuse, are also required. 2 tables and 32 references