Sexual Abuse of Children with Autism: Factors that Increase Risk and Interfere with Recognition of Abuse

Abstract

<p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: small;">Two main arguments are made with regard to children with autism and risk for sexual abuse. First, some children with autism may be targeted for abuse by sexual offenders who may view them as vulnerable children. Second, when children with autism are sexually abused, they may show this in ways that get ignored or misattributed to autism rather than to possible sexual abuse. Because of these two issues, there need to be reliable methods established for determining whether or not a child on the autism spectrum has been sexually abused, and these protocols need to be informed by the challenges encountered by individuals with autism, voiced by those along the spectrum as well as by researchers in the autism field.</span></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </p><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: small;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;" align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Keywords: Autism, Autism Spectrum Disorders, sexual abuse</span></p></span></span>

Sex Education, Sexual Health, and Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…They are at an increased risk of sexual abuse [42] and victimization in sexual situations [43,44]. The increased risk of victimization of individuals with ASD appears to be partially mediated by their actual knowledge, suggesting the importance of sex education.…”

Prevalence and psychological sequelae of sexual abuse among individuals with an intellectual disability: A review of the recent literature

“…Historically there has been a relative lack of pertinent research concerning work with victims of sexual abuse who have a disability (Edelson, 2010;Kvam, 2000;Plummer and Findley, 2012). and review studies were excluded (Jones et al, 2012;Wissink et al, 2015).…”

Nurse practitioner knowledge of child sexual abuse in children with cognitive disabilities

“…In Edelson's (2008) review, factors that increase sexual abuse risk and interfere with recognition of abuse in children with autism were summarized. It was noted that research regarding missed behavioral signs of sexual abuse in children with autism is limited.…”

“…Sexualized behaviors may be indicative of sexual abuse when classified as sexually reactive and sexually abusive behaviors. Sexually reactive and sexually abusive behaviors typically develop as a reaction to traumatic events, over stimulating environments, and abuse (Edelson, 2008; Cavanagh‐Johnson, 2002). Sexually reactive behaviors are the result of exposure or direct contact with inappropriate sexual activities, sexual behaviors, or relationships.…”