People With Disabilities Languish with Abuse
Domestic Violence is no Stranger for Individuals with Special Needs
Nov 22, 2008
Domestic abuse is suspected to be very high toward those who have developmental disabilities or are mentally challenged. Those who are handicapped face immense hurdles when attempting to gain courage to disclose abuse. Tragically for some individuals, they are unable to disclose due to a mental disorder that inhibits them from communication.
Violence against persons with disabilities is despicable. It is a violation of trust, abuse of power and it's inconceivable how anyone can mar an individual who is highly vulnerable.
Some acts of violence may involve a combination of:
- physical force
- physical actions disguised as “care” (restraints, administration of medications)
- sexual abuse (ie. rape or fondling)
- denial of rights (food, self care such as toileting, medical care)
- threats or verbal abuse (emotional abuse)
- neglect
- lack of love or affection
Psychological and Emotional Abuse
This category of abuse is perhaps the most frequent form of abuse that special needs people experience. The lack of love and affection, constant threats, taunting, verbal attacks and name calling aggregate into total loss of confidence and self-esteem. According to a study conducted in 1994, psychological abuse frequently accompanies other forms of abuse.
The Roehler Institute has conducted research in this area and states that threats, insults and harassment are constant in the lives of those who have disabilities. They have uncovered that there are severe threats such as: withdrawal of help or services by the caregiver, social workers threatening special needs individuals that their children will be taken away and threats by family members that they will be institutionalized if they do not comply.
For those able to get into the community, they are faced with insults and harassment from strangers on the street, being yelled at by neighbors, belittling, verbal onslaughts and generally lack of respect. According to one respondent in the Roehler study, “the climate of insult is present all the time, everyday”.
Extent of this Problem
Several small scale studies have been conducted and results are published at the National Clearinghouse on Family Violence in Canada. Some of the results include:
- 40% of women with disabilities have been assaulted or raped
- 54% of boys who are deaf have been sexually abused
- 50% of girls who are deaf have been sexually abused
- 68% of psychiatric outpatients have been physically or sexually abused
- 81% of psychiatric inpatients have been physically or sexually abused
- 56% of those who were admitted to a hospital-based unit for people with intellectual disabilities received anti-psychotic drugs without a diagnosis of psychosis or related disorder
- 41% of nurses and nurses aids in intermediate care facilities who were interviewed admitted to engaging in physical abuse of the people they care for
What to Do?
Sadly, this is an issue that is problematic. There are no clear cut answers on how to eliminate these hideous crimes. Part of the solution is everyone becoming educated and active in assisting those who have the misfortune of not helping themselves.
If you have a loved one who is mentally or physically challenged it's crucial to educate him or her about abuse issues and to speak about these issues regularly. Let him know you will always listen.
For those loved ones who are in assisted living homes or residential care, be sure to have an open line of communication. If they are unable to verbally communicate well (or not at all) but understand, then decide on a code word or physical movement that will alert you to suspected abuse.
Unfortunately not everyone in care has family or friends who visit. If you are visiting a loved one and witness or suspect abuse, report it immediately (if there is fear reporting it to the home, report it to the police). If you work in one of these settings and suspect a colleague is abusing a resident, report the abuse. If there is fear to report internally, then make an anonymous call to the proper authorities.
In any emergency situation, always remember to call 911.
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