Persons with disabilities may fail to report abuse, neglect, or exploitation for the following reasons:
Victims refuse to acknowledge that there is a problem
Persons with disabilities are often taught to be compliant and passive and are sometimes unable to distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate physical contact
Persons with disabilities may feel their report of abuse would not be believed
Physical/cognitive impairments make it difficult for the victim to seek help Most augmentative communication systems (such as communication or picture
boards used by people who cannot speak) are not programmed with language appropriate to report abuse, neglect or exploitation.
Victims do not know where to turn for help, and they are often isolated
Victims are, or perceive themselves to be, financially or otherwise dependent on the abuser for their needs; abuser tells victim they will lose everything if anyone is told Victims fear loss of a caretaker, even an abusing caretaker; they are fearful that the
solution to the problem is more negative or frightening than the problem itself; they are fearful they will be forced to leave their current families or homes. Persons with disabilities may be more easily coerced with or threatened by the withholding of needed care or equipment.
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Barriers to Reporting
Additionally, providers and other people sometimes fail to report abuse, neglect, and exploitation of people with disabilities because:
There is a general lack of understanding or awareness of the high rate of these types of crimes
People, including professionals and law enforcement, often do not recognize abuse of persons with disabilities when they see it; they are often quick to dismiss the visible signs of abuse by saying it was probably caused by the person’s disability Most people assume that no person would be capable of committing certain crimes
against persons with disabilities
Because they haven’t’ seen actual physical abuse, they may not believe a problem exists.
People fear financial or legal liability and retaliation if they report suspected abuse
Many people have the mistaken idea that their actions will not make a difference in cases of abuse, neglect, or exploitation
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Activity
Discuss the following questions in your small groups and be prepared to present your findings to the other participants:
1. Who should you tell/notify in situations where you know or suspect someone with a disability is being abused, neglected, or exploited?
2. What information should you have available before you call in a suspected case of abuse, neglect or exploitation?
3. What are some reasons why someone might hesitate to report caretaker abuse, neglect, or exploitation?
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Summary
It’s up to YOU to report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a person with a disability. Now you know what to look for and who to contact!
If you only remember one thing from this course, we hope it is this; If you know or suspect that someone with a disability is being abused, neglected, or exploited, call the local Department of Social Services and the police. Your report could save that person’s life or protect him/her from further harm.
You’re ready to move on to the final section of this course. In this section you will learn about ways you can help prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of persons with disabilities.
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