Preventing Physical and Sexual Abuse of People with Disabilities

One of the most tragic secrets of American life is that people with physical, mental, and sensory disabilities are victimized at a rate more than three times as high as people without disabilities. Even worse, children and adults with intellectual disabilities are sexually assaulted at seven times as high (DOJ, 2018).

 

CDC figures show nearly 30% of our fellow New Mexicans have some sort of disability. Most common are difficulties in moving about, such as walking or climbing stairs, and challenges in concentrating, remembering, or making decisions. Others include maintaining independent living (shopping, making doctor visits), hearing or vision loss, and self-care (bathing, dressing). Or those who often cannot speak, or their speech is not well-developed.

 

In many cases, people with disabilities were taught from childhood to be compliant, obey adults, and go along with what other people say and do. And, from another angle, people with intellectual challenges tend to be disbelieved by others and are brushed aside because they are "making things up" or "just imagining."

 

These characteristics make people with disabilities much more vulnerable to perpetrators who often see them as an opportunity to victimize without consequences.

 

I grew up with a family member who has disabilities. Back then, we weren’t aware this made them a target of sexual predators and other wrongdoers. Because of our ignorance, they were vulnerable and suffered abuse.

 

Nowadays, families with members who have disabilities have access to services and information not available years ago. The New Mexico Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs publishes several helpful booklets about protecting children with disabilities from abuse and neglect, including guides for foster care parents and educators. These publications and other information are available at NMCSAP.org/resources/sexual-abuse-information-brochures-and-posters/ or by contacting Community Against Violence (CAV) in Taos.

 

To protect family members and prevent abuse:

  • Know possible signs of abuse: changes in behavior, cuts and bruises or other physical injury, complaints about pain in the genital area.
  • Know possible signs of neglect: excessive hunger or thirst, dirty hair or body, chronic diaper rash.
  • Don’t assume caregivers/teachers are safe. Get to know caretakers, only leave your family member with people you trust, pop in for unplanned visits.
  • Ask school administrators or caregivers for a copy of their policies and procedures for responding to suspicious staff behavior or signs of abuse (they should have one!). What are their protocols for handling abuse allegations?
  • Find out how often staff are trained on preventing abuse, particularly for children with disabilities; review policies for doing background checks on existing staff and new applicants.
  • Teach people with disabilities about healthy touching, healthy relationships, and age-appropriate sex-education.
  • Seek respite care when you feel frustrated.

Importantly, parents, guardians, friends, and service providers should create a risk reduction plan – workbooks are available online for guidance. CAV has a special needs advocate who can help with safety planning for family members or friends with disabilities.

 

It is important for us to trust our instincts: If you feel something is wrong, don’t ignore it. Keep a log of any changes you notice and when you noticed them. If you suspect physical/sexual abuse or neglect of a child, you are legally obligated in NM to immediately contact the Children, Youth, and Families Department’s (CYFD) Statewide Central Intake child abuse hotline (1-855-333-SAFE [7233] or #SAFE on a cell), law enforcement, or the appropriate tribal government.

 

For other resources to prevent abuse of persons with disabilities: The Arc (TheARC.org/our-initiatives/criminal-justice/talk-about-sexual-violence) and End Abuse (https://www.EndAbusepwd.org/solutions/strengthen-prevention).

 

Malinda Williams is the executive director of Community Against Violence (CAV) which offers FREE confidential support and assistance for child and adult survivors of sexual and domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and child and elder abuse; community and school violence prevention programs; re-education groups for people using power and control in their relationships; counseling; shelter; transitional housing; and community thrift store. To talk or get information on services, call CAV’s 24-hour helpline at 575-758-9888. TaosCAV.org