Equity and inclusion in all domains of life cannot be achieved when persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities are four to ten times more likely than other community members to be victims of violent crime. This presentation highlights how this horrific statistic is the norm in many of our communities.It also suggests easy to implement for community members and law enforcement. For more information contact info@brcenter.org

1. The silent epidemic
Abuse of people with disabilitiesAbuse of people with disabilities
Data
BarriersBarriers
Prevention Strategies

2. Workshop path
1. Human rights
2. Data
3. Types of abuse
4 Law enforcement & criminal justice4. Law enforcement & criminal justice
5. Next steps and advocacy

3. “You should be free from harm, and also from
the threat of harm.”the threat of harm.
Includes not living in fearIncludes not living in fear
of strangers or neighbors
or family membersor family members.
Britain Equality and Human Rights Commission

4. Education Prevention
Abuse can happen to
anyone!anyone!
We are victimized at a
higher rateg
iWe play a role in
educating criminal
j i f i ljustice professionals

5. Voices of victims with disabilities
“I may not talk as
good as you.g y
But I know whatBut I know what
happened and I
know who did it ”know who did it.

6. Voices of victims with disabilities
“The detective andThe detective and
my lawyer
believed me ”believed me.

7. Crimes against
people with disabilitiespeople with disabilities
20092009
12 per 1,000
20122012
24 per 1,000
Violent crimes doubleddoubled from 2009 to 2012
p
Department of Justice, 2014

8. Violence, abuse, neglect
Victims usually know the abuser
Adults with disabilities 4 out of 10 experience abuseAdults with disabilities - 4 out of 10 experience abuse
CDC Disability and Health
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/healthyliving.html
Children with disabilities - twice as likely to be abused

9. Crimes against
people with I/DDpeople with I/DD
will experience sexual abuse at
some point in their lives
90%
some point in their lives.
will experience ten or more
abuse incidents
49%
abuse incidents.
(Valenti-Hein, D. & Schwartz, L. (1995). The Sexual Abuse Interview for Those with Developmental
Disabilities. James Stanfield Company. Santa Barbara: California

10. i
People with I/DD
more likely to be abused
segregated from otherssegregated from others
lack self-protection skillsp
Lack community safety
killskills

11. Reasons for not reporting
o more abuseo more abuse
o not being believed
i io being blamed or punished
o losing services
o losing home, job, family, or friends

12. Reasons for not reporting
o Taught to go along with authority
N t d t d b t th i i hto Not educated about their rights

13. Bullying
72% at school
42% at home or neighborhood
37% at work37% at work
44% more than 10 times
http://www.pacer.org/bullying/resources/students-with-disabilities

14. Typical types of abuse
physical sexual
financial intimidation

15. Real life example
Story
Financial abuse

16. Real life example
Story
intimidation

17. Reporting
o Most crimes go unreported!
l th t t b l to Rely on others to report abuse or neglect
o Incidents that happen in programs ofteno Incidents that happen in programs often
treated as employment issues
Reporting and investigation is often delayedo Reporting and investigation is often delayed
http://www.disabilityrightsca.org/legislature/Principles/102801.htm

18. Justice System
Over 70% of abuse cases
against adults with disabilitiesg
go unreported.
5% i i t l itho 5% crimes against people with
disabilities prosecuted
o 70% crimes against people withoutg p p
disabilities
Domestic Violence & Disability http://www.bflnyc.org/about-us/domestic-violence-disability/

19. Interacting with PWD
Law Enforcement and
Criminal Justice System
o lack experience
o discomforto discomfort
o lack training and skills
The Police Chief Magazine, 2014:

20. Real life example
Story
Reporting an incident

21. Law enforcement tips
People with I/DD:
o Allow plenty of time
o Use everyday wordso Use everyday words
o Meet one-on-one (include their trusted
person if requested)person if requested)
o Meet in a place with few distractions

22. Law enforcement
o Speak at advocacy groups
o Learn how to support people who report
o Continue training
o Encourage reporting
o Include people with disabilities in trainingo Include people with disabilities in training
teams

23. Video – The silent epidemic
Abuse of persons with disabilitiesAbuse of persons with disabilities

24. Peer Advocacy (Kecia and Molly)
o Educate public about frequency of abuse
o Participate in Arc National/NCCJD webinars
o Speak at conferences & advocacy groupso Speak at conferences & advocacy groups
o NEXT “co-produce PSA about Payday Loans”

25. Remain safe: make a plan
Self Self
advocatesadvocates
D l “t t d l ti hi ”o Develop “trusted relationships”
o Call when feeling unsafe
o Learn personal/community safety
o Know who to call to reportp
o Keep phone numbers in cell phone

26. Next Steps – coalition building
stop
abuse
Common CauseCommon Cause
Abuse awareness

27. Network
stop
abuse
Leadership for people with I/DDLeadership for people with I/DD
Educate the public
Community engagement
Achievements/outcomes

28. QuestionsQuestions
Mark Starford Molly Kennedy
mark@brcenter.org molly@brcenter.org