81 - Sexual Assault and Disability

There are some real scary statistics out there about the high rate of sexual assaults on people with disabilities. While they should be discuss every day as a means of figuring out how to bring down this horrendous number, April being Sexual Assault Awareness Month, is a good time to do so.

In 2017 the US Justice Department came out with a report that said someone especially with an intellectual disability is seven times more likely to be sexually assaulted than someone without a disability. Seven times! Sadly, the DOJ didn’t even find this alarming statistic worthy of a published report. Says something about DOJ’s value on people with disabilities, doesn’t it?

The following conversation is still embedded in my brain and continues to haunt me in my work in sexuality and disability.

“Kelly’s telling me she has a boyfriend,” Lisa began. I supervised Lisa in a one to one service that got people out into the community.

Normally this would be something to celebrate, but it wasn’t.

“And that it’s her next door neighbor,” Lisa continued. She knew that Kelly’s neighbor was about 20 years older than her, married, with kids.

Kelly was in her early 20s and lived with an intellectual disability. Lisa went on to say, “Kelly tells me they’re having sex.”

In the midst of investigating what was happening, interviewing Kelly several, and having her examined by a doctor, it was concluded that Kelly’s neighbor had befriended her, groomed her, and eventually lured her to his basement to have sex with her one weekend while his wife and kids were away for the weekend.

Resources

Statistics on Sexual Assault and Disability

NPR's Abused and Betrayed Series

Supporting Dating and Relationships membership (for family members, special educators and professionals in disability services) - is for professionals in the disability field who are looking for training and resources to effectively help students/people with disabilities in developing dating and relationship skills. Click here to learn more.

Check out our Dating Memberships:

Dating Made Easier (for all people wanting to date) - is a monthly membership for anyone (with or without disabilities) who wants support and guidance in dating skills and getting the RESULTS you want in dating and relationships. Click here to learn more.

Supporting Dating and Relationships membership (for special educators and professionals in disability services) - is for professionals in the disability field who are looking for training and resources to effectively help students/people with disabilities in developing dating and relationship skills. Click here to learn more.

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Artwork photo by Elevate