People with Disabilities and Sexual Assault

April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness, educating the public and working to prevent sexual violence. While this can be an uncomfortable topic, sexual assault — especially within the disability community — is one we cannot afford to ignore. Too often, violence against people with disabilities is not recognized as a significant issue, and the needs of victims and survivors are overlooked.

Children with disabilities are three times more likely to experience sexual violence than children without disabilities. Adults with disabilities are also three times more likely to experience rape and other forms of sexual assault — and this is not limited to women. Men with disabilities may also be victims. Perpetrators may view individuals with disabilities as vulnerable, less likely to report abuse or less likely to be believed, making them targets. Even when incidents are reported, survivors are not always taken seriously.

There are several factors that can contribute to long-term abuse of people with disabilities, including:

• Isolation from community and support systems
• Dependence on others for care or financial support
• Limited financial resources, such as reliance on Social Security Disability Income
• Threats related to custody of children, including claims that a person is unfit to parent due to their disability
• Harmful stereotypes that portray people with disabilities as unreliable or less credible
• Conditioning, particularly for individuals with intellectual or cognitive disabilities, to comply with authority figures without question

If you are a person with a disability, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of becoming a victim of sexual assault:

• Identify a word, phrase or signal you can use to alert someone you trust that you are in danger and need help
• Develop an escape plan and review it regularly
• Keep your vehicle fueled and positioned for a quick exit, if applicable
• Store extra cash, clothing, important documents and emergency contact information in an accessible, safe place
• Practice your escape plan so you know what to do in an emergency
• Memorize key phone numbers in case you cannot access your phone

Sexual assault against people with disabilities affects individuals, families and communities. The impact includes profound emotional, physical and often financial harm. Increasing awareness and understanding is a critical step toward prevention.

If this is or has happened to you, you don’t have to navigate this alone. Disability Network Lakeshore can help connect you with trusted resources and supports in our community. Please contact us at 616-396-5326.