Justice System Interactions Among Autistic Individuals: A Multiple Methods Analysis

Abstract

Increasing attention has detailed negative outcomes among interactions between autistic individuals and criminal justice system officers, including police, across the US. The purpose of this study is to identify the experiences of autistic individuals and their caregivers across their interactions with the criminal justice system through quantitative and qualitative analyses of responses from a statewide survey in one large, northeastern state. Qualitative findings show a diverse array of experiences between autistic individuals and the justice system as victims, offenders, and witnesses with both positive and negative experiences reported. Quantitative findings show increased risk for justice interaction with a co-occurring psychiatric diagnoses, gender, age, and other factors. The findings from this study present important future directions for research, policy, and practice.

Assessment of Functional and Dysfunctional Perceived Threat of Hate Crimes Among Persons With and Without Disability

“…For example, Balderston (2013) found that women with disabilities were four times more likely than women without disabilities to become the victim of sexual violence. Koffer Miller et al (2022) report similar results among autistic women, 3 but especially among persons who identify as other genders, in regard to victimization in general. As another example, compared to Black autistic individuals, those who identified as an “other” race or ethnicity were almost three times more likely to be a victim (Koffer Miller et al, 2022).…”

“…Koffer Miller et al (2022) report similar results among autistic women, 3 but especially among persons who identify as other genders, in regard to victimization in general. As another example, compared to Black autistic individuals, those who identified as an “other” race or ethnicity were almost three times more likely to be a victim (Koffer Miller et al, 2022). Consequently, perceived threat of crime may be exacerbated when persons with a disability are also members of other marginalized groups.…”

“…For example, Balderston (2013) found that women with disabilities were four times more likely than women without disabilities to become the victim of sexual violence. Koffer Miller et al (2022) report similar results among autistic women, 3 but especially among persons who identify as other genders, in regard to victimization in general.…”

“…As another example, compared to Black autistic individuals, those who identified as an "other" race or ethnicity were almost three times more likely to be a victim (Koffer Miller et al, 2022). Consequently, perceived threat of crime may be exacerbated when persons with a disability are also members of other marginalized groups.…”

Sexual victimization of autistic college students.

“…Drawing on data from the Pennsylvania Autism Needs Assessment, Koffer Miller et al (2022) report that autistic women, compared to autistic men, had higher odds of victimization. Further, autistic respondents who reported "other" race or ethnicity (not defined, but excludes Black, Hispanic, White, and Multiracial individuals), compared to Black autistic respondents, had higher odds of victimization (Koffer Miller et al, 2022). From their qualitative analysis, Koffer Miller et al (2022) found many instances of assault or (sexual) abuse by persons known to the autistic victim.…”