Sexual abuse treatment for persons with developmental disabilities.

Abstract

Recent research by the Sexual Abuse and Disability Project at the University of Alberta included a survey of 119 sexual abuse victims with developmental disabilities. Their responses indicated that sexual abuse treatment services for people with developmental disabilities are typically inaccessible, unavailable, and inappropriate. Inadequate treatment services appear to be due to the paucity of qualified professionals in the area of sexual abuse and developmental disabilities coupled with the slow development of appropriate sexual abuse treatment approaches. The application of adapted therapy approaches for people with developmental disabilities and examples of adapted sexual abuse treatment for children and women abused as children are presented. Sexual abuse treatment issues for the developmentally disabled are discussed for practitioners' consideration.

Assessment of Sexual Assault in Clinical Practice: Available Screening Tools for Use with Different Adult Populations

“…Of note, women with disabilities are more vulnerable to sexual abuse from health care workers than nondisabled women . Most research indicates that women with disabilities are more susceptible to abusive sexual relationships than men with disabilities (Mansell, Sobsey, & Calder, 1992), although research actually demonstrates equal gender representation when the perpetrator is another adult with cognitive disabilities (Furey & Niesen, 1994). Adults with disabilities are susceptible to a wide array of negative consequences of sexual victimization (e.g., Sequeira, Howlin, & Hollins, 2003).…”

Infectious Diseases, Immunizations and Universal Precautions

“…Factors contributing to this increased risk are: dependence of this population on others for intimate care, increased exposure to large number of caregivers and settings, inappropriate social skills and poor judgment, lack of strategies to defend themselves and the inability to seek help or report abuse [ 86 ]. Victims of sexual abuse who have severe and profound intellectual disabilities suffered more withdrawal, aggressive behavior, or inappropriate sexual behavior compared to those with mild to moderate disabilities [ 87 ].…”

The sexual abuse of young people with disabilities: Treatment considerations

“…Many aspects of therapy are similar to therapy practices used with the general population. For example, the therapist's process of individualizing treatment for a client also occurs with clients who do not have disabilities; however, there are some distinct aspects to therapy (Mansell et al, 1992). Hurley's (1989) review of the literature on individual therapy for individuals with mental retardation presented recommendations, including adapting a standard therapy technique to the client's cognitive level; being directive by setting structure and limits; being flexible; engaging significant others in the therapy, due to the client's dependence on others; and addressing disability as an issue.…”

“…At this point in time, researchers suggest that the effects are similar to those in the general population (Cruz et al, 1988) and appear to share the same range of heterogeneity found in the general population (Gorman-Smith & Matson, 1992). These effects may be complicated by the limited coping resources of people with developmental disabilities (Mansell, Sobsey & Calder, 1992).…”

“…Research of the Abuse and Disability Project at the University of Alberta has addressed the incidence of sexual abuse in people with disabilities (Sobsey & Varnhagen, 1988), abuse prevention (Sobsey & Mansell, 1990), and treatment strategies (Mansell et al, 1992). A survey of sexually abused people with disabilities has also been conducted (Sobsey & Doe, 1991).…”