Violence against Persons with Disabilities
What is Violence of Persons with Disabilities?
The victimization of persons with disabilities involves the abuse of an individual with a physical and/or mental disability. Victimization can include physical violence, sexual violence, psychological or emotional abuse, and neglect. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledges such victimization as a serious and preventable public health problem.
Types of Abuse
Physical Abuse is any act of violence or rough treatment that causes injury or discomfort, such as slapping, pushing or hitting. It may include over or under-medicating and the use of physical restraints.Emotional Abuse is any act which lowers a person’s dignity and self-worth. This may include regularly yelling at, criticizing, threatening, humiliating or isolating the elderly or disabled person.Sexual Abuse is any unwanted sexual act. This may include unwanted touching, kissing or fondling.Financial Abuse is any act involving the misuse of the elderly or disabled person’s money or property without their full knowledge and consent. This includes theft of money, pension cheques or property as well as misuse of a power of attorney.Neglect happens when a caregiver does not properly care for and attend to an elderly or disabled person who cannot fully look after him or herself. Neglect can be intentional or unintentional. It may include withholding food, personal hygiene care, health services, clothing, help or companionship. Neglect may also be self-neglect. This happens when a person refuses, delays or is unable to arrange for his or her own care and attention.
Prevalence
Current knowledge about victimization of persons with disabilities is based on a small number of studies, and little is know about victimization of important groups such as persons with traumatic brain injury.
Persons with disabilities are 4 to 10 times more likely to become a victim of violence, abuse, or neglect than persons without disabilities.
Children with disabilities are more than twice as likely to be physically or sexually abused as children without disabilities.
Similar proportions of women with and without disabilities report having experienced episodes of physical violence, sexual violence, or emotional abuse. Women with disabilities, however, report greater numbers of perpetrators and longer time periods of individual episodes than women without disabilities.
Indicators of Physical Abuse
Fear of caregiversunexplained injuriesdelay in seeking treatmentover-sedationunusual patterns of bruiseshistory of changing doctorsscalp injuries
Indicators of Emotional Abuse
Low self-esteemappears nervous around caregiverconfusedsuicidalavoids eye contact with caregiverfear of abandonmentlethargic/withdrawn
Indicators of Sexual Abuse
Unusual fear of personstained, torn or bloody clothespain and bruisingchange in sexual behaviourpregnancysexually transmitted diseases
Indicators of Financial Abuse
Unexplained missing itemsfailure to pay billsinaccurate knowledge of financessuddenly changing a willgoing without affordable necessitiesunusual withdrawals from bank account
Indicators of Neglect
Malnourishmentwandering without supervisionlack of heat/electricityunkempt appearancemissing dentures, glasses, hearing aidsskin conditions or pressure soresuntreated medical problemsalcohol or medication abuse
Most victims of abuse and neglect feel depressed and anxious. Although no one should jump to conclusions, do take all of these indicators seriously.
What Factors Make a Person with Disabilities Susceptible to Victimization?
Societal Factors:
Misperceptions about disability include “having a disability protects a person from victimization”; the risks to a person with disabilities are thought to be less than the risks to a person who has none.
Unemployment or underemployment of persons with disabilities restricts their income and limits their choices for caregivers, leading to an increased risk of physical and sexual violence, emotional abuse, or neglect.
Lack of money often causes persons with disabilities to live in areas where crime rates are high and the potential for physical and sexual violence is greater than in wealthier neighborhoods.
Community Factors:
Community resources for victims of physical and sexual violence, emotional abuse, or neglect are usually designed to assist people without disabilities. Organizations that provide such resources do not routinely collaborate with organizations that assist persons with disabilities.
Frequently, health care and law enforcement professionals are uninformed about victimization of persons with disabilities. Thus, they may not have the specialized knowledge or skills to identify and assist these individuals when victimized.
Who Might Act Abusively?
An abusive person is usually someone the victim knows and trusts – someone with control and influence over the person with a disability. Abusers often isolate the victim from friends, neighbours and caring family members. However, an abuser might be anyone. This may include:
A spouse/family membera friendany caretakeranyone working for a personstaff in a facilitya strangera landlord
Some Reasons for Abuse and Neglect
In a Family
A stressful time in the familypoor family relationsa cycle of violence exists in the familythe abusive caregiver is trying to get even with a parent for past eventsthe abusive caregiver has a drug or alcohol problemthe abusive caregiver doesn’t know about the aging processthe abusive caregiver doesn’t understand the disabilitythe abusive caregiver has financial problemsthe abusive caregiver must care for other dependants
In a Nursing Home, Special Care Home, etc.
Lack of trainingover-worked staffstressful working environmentlack of communication
Getting Help
What can I do if someone is abusing or neglecting me?
Talk to family members or friendsTalk to the abuser about your feelingsTalk to your doctor, counsellor, minister or rabbiFind out about support servicesCall the Department of Victim ServicesCall the policeLeave
Why do victims seldom report abuse and neglect?
Some people don’t report abuse and neglect because they are ill, frail or have communication difficulties. Others think that:
They will experience more abuseno one can helpthere is no proofthey deserve itit is too shamefulit is a family problemthey should keep on copingthey might lose their caregivertheir caregiver will institutionalize them
Helping a Victim of Abuse and Neglect
Talk to the person privatelyListen to what the person is sayingTry to understand what is happeningWrite down everything the person saysDo not panic or make assumptions. This is a difficult time for the person.Explain the options available to the personDiscuss the advantages and disadvantages of each option or contact someone who canEncourage the person to choose the most appropriate option for his/her situationLet the person make his/her own decisionIf the person’s safety is at risk, tell the police or Victim Services
Help stop abuse and neglect. Report it!
The victimization of persons with disabilities involves the abuse of an individual with a physical and/or mental disability. Victimization can include physical violence, sexual violence, psychological or emotional abuse, and neglect. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledges such victimization as a serious and preventable public health problem.
Types of Abuse
Physical Abuse is any act of violence or rough treatment that causes injury or discomfort, such as slapping, pushing or hitting. It may include over or under-medicating and the use of physical restraints.Emotional Abuse is any act which lowers a person’s dignity and self-worth. This may include regularly yelling at, criticizing, threatening, humiliating or isolating the elderly or disabled person.Sexual Abuse is any unwanted sexual act. This may include unwanted touching, kissing or fondling.Financial Abuse is any act involving the misuse of the elderly or disabled person’s money or property without their full knowledge and consent. This includes theft of money, pension cheques or property as well as misuse of a power of attorney.Neglect happens when a caregiver does not properly care for and attend to an elderly or disabled person who cannot fully look after him or herself. Neglect can be intentional or unintentional. It may include withholding food, personal hygiene care, health services, clothing, help or companionship. Neglect may also be self-neglect. This happens when a person refuses, delays or is unable to arrange for his or her own care and attention.
Prevalence
Current knowledge about victimization of persons with disabilities is based on a small number of studies, and little is know about victimization of important groups such as persons with traumatic brain injury.
Persons with disabilities are 4 to 10 times more likely to become a victim of violence, abuse, or neglect than persons without disabilities.
Children with disabilities are more than twice as likely to be physically or sexually abused as children without disabilities.
Similar proportions of women with and without disabilities report having experienced episodes of physical violence, sexual violence, or emotional abuse. Women with disabilities, however, report greater numbers of perpetrators and longer time periods of individual episodes than women without disabilities.
Indicators of Physical Abuse
Fear of caregiversunexplained injuriesdelay in seeking treatmentover-sedationunusual patterns of bruiseshistory of changing doctorsscalp injuries
Indicators of Emotional Abuse
Low self-esteemappears nervous around caregiverconfusedsuicidalavoids eye contact with caregiverfear of abandonmentlethargic/withdrawn
Indicators of Sexual Abuse
Unusual fear of personstained, torn or bloody clothespain and bruisingchange in sexual behaviourpregnancysexually transmitted diseases
Indicators of Financial Abuse
Unexplained missing itemsfailure to pay billsinaccurate knowledge of financessuddenly changing a willgoing without affordable necessitiesunusual withdrawals from bank account
Indicators of Neglect
Malnourishmentwandering without supervisionlack of heat/electricityunkempt appearancemissing dentures, glasses, hearing aidsskin conditions or pressure soresuntreated medical problemsalcohol or medication abuse
Most victims of abuse and neglect feel depressed and anxious. Although no one should jump to conclusions, do take all of these indicators seriously.
What Factors Make a Person with Disabilities Susceptible to Victimization?
Societal Factors:
Misperceptions about disability include “having a disability protects a person from victimization”; the risks to a person with disabilities are thought to be less than the risks to a person who has none.
Unemployment or underemployment of persons with disabilities restricts their income and limits their choices for caregivers, leading to an increased risk of physical and sexual violence, emotional abuse, or neglect.
Lack of money often causes persons with disabilities to live in areas where crime rates are high and the potential for physical and sexual violence is greater than in wealthier neighborhoods.
Community Factors:
Community resources for victims of physical and sexual violence, emotional abuse, or neglect are usually designed to assist people without disabilities. Organizations that provide such resources do not routinely collaborate with organizations that assist persons with disabilities.
Frequently, health care and law enforcement professionals are uninformed about victimization of persons with disabilities. Thus, they may not have the specialized knowledge or skills to identify and assist these individuals when victimized.
Who Might Act Abusively?
An abusive person is usually someone the victim knows and trusts – someone with control and influence over the person with a disability. Abusers often isolate the victim from friends, neighbours and caring family members. However, an abuser might be anyone. This may include:
A spouse/family membera friendany caretakeranyone working for a personstaff in a facilitya strangera landlord
Some Reasons for Abuse and Neglect
In a Family
A stressful time in the familypoor family relationsa cycle of violence exists in the familythe abusive caregiver is trying to get even with a parent for past eventsthe abusive caregiver has a drug or alcohol problemthe abusive caregiver doesn’t know about the aging processthe abusive caregiver doesn’t understand the disabilitythe abusive caregiver has financial problemsthe abusive caregiver must care for other dependants
In a Nursing Home, Special Care Home, etc.
Lack of trainingover-worked staffstressful working environmentlack of communication
Getting Help
What can I do if someone is abusing or neglecting me?
Talk to family members or friendsTalk to the abuser about your feelingsTalk to your doctor, counsellor, minister or rabbiFind out about support servicesCall the Department of Victim ServicesCall the policeLeave
Why do victims seldom report abuse and neglect?
Some people don’t report abuse and neglect because they are ill, frail or have communication difficulties. Others think that:
They will experience more abuseno one can helpthere is no proofthey deserve itit is too shamefulit is a family problemthey should keep on copingthey might lose their caregivertheir caregiver will institutionalize them
Helping a Victim of Abuse and Neglect
Talk to the person privatelyListen to what the person is sayingTry to understand what is happeningWrite down everything the person saysDo not panic or make assumptions. This is a difficult time for the person.Explain the options available to the personDiscuss the advantages and disadvantages of each option or contact someone who canEncourage the person to choose the most appropriate option for his/her situationLet the person make his/her own decisionIf the person’s safety is at risk, tell the police or Victim Services
Help stop abuse and neglect. Report it!
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