Sexual Abuse of Individuals with Disabilities: Prevention Strategies for Clinical Practice

Abstract

Sexual abuse of individuals with disabilities occurs in alarming proportions, although the prevalence and incidence of such abuse is difficult to determine. Although all states maintain statistics on child sexual abuse, the rate of victimization for individuals with disabilities is not specific. This paper reviews several studies conducted on sexual abuse of individuals with disabilities with a focus on clinical prevention strategies. Recommendations for future directions in prevention and research are provided.

The persistence of fad interventions in the face of negative scientific evidence: Facilitated communication for autism as a case example

“…Because individuals with developmental disabilities, including those with ASD, are frequently victims of sexual abuse (Brown-Lavoie, Vieciili, & Weiss, 2014;McEachern, 2012;Sullivan & Knutson, 2000), however, some facilitators may have been suspicious of the caregivers of children with autism. Because individuals with developmental disabilities, including those with ASD, are frequently victims of sexual abuse (Brown-Lavoie, Vieciili, & Weiss, 2014;McEachern, 2012;Sullivan & Knutson, 2000), however, some facilitators may have been suspicious of the caregivers of children with autism.…”

An Exploratory Study of the Knowledge of Personal Safety Skills Among Children with Developmental Disabilities and Their Parents

“…At a systemic level, it is important to develop risk reduction programmes which may reduce the prevalence and severity of sexual abuse in this population by strengthening protective factors against sexual abuse (Kim ; McEachern ; Kenny et al . ; Schaafsma et al .…”

“…). Children with developmental disabilities may be particularly vulnerable to sexual abuse (Mahoney & Poling ; McEachern ) due to factors such as social skills deficits, limited judgement regarding appropriate interpersonal boundaries, a lack of knowledge regarding sexuality and sexual behaviour and a lack of strategies to defend themselves against abuse (Lumley & Miltenberger ; Mazzucchelli ; Sevlever et al . ).…”

Opinions of Turkish Parents and Teachers About Safety Skills Instruction to Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Preliminary Investigation

“…Many children each year face the risk of injury, lost or death due to unintentional accidents (i.e., crossing the street, abduction, electric shock; Bergstrom et al 2012;Istre et al 2002;Phelan et al 2001;Runyan et al 2005;Tinsworth and McDonald 2001) as well as intentional accidents (i.e., physical and sexual abuse; Clees and Gast 1994;Dixon et al 2010;Pereda et al 2009). Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other developmental disabilities face two to three times the risk of injury or abuse compared with those of their same age peers in the general population (Agran and Krump 2010;Calavari and Romanczyk 2012;Koller 2000;Lee et al 2008;McEachern 2012;Strickland et al 2007;Volkmar and Wiesner 2009;Yildirim-Sari and Girli 2012).…”