Victimisation and Social Vulnerability of Adults with Intellectual Disability: A Review of Research Extending beyond Wilson and Brewer

Abstract

Objective: In 1992, Wilson and Brewer published a landmark study related to adults with intellectual disabilities' experiences of criminal victimisation and reasons for this social vulnerability. The purpose of this article is to review the existing literature, published since Wilson and Brewer, which describes the types of victimisation individuals with intellectual disability are most often reported to experience and the identified risk factors related to social vulnerability of adults with intellectual disability. Thus, we conducted a systematic literature review to identify the empirical research related to victimisation and social vulnerability of adults with intellectual disability. Method: We conducted a literature search of five databases to identify all articles related to victimisation or social vulnerability of adults with intellectual disability. Identified articles were coded for data related to participant characteristics (N, mean age, gender, and type of disability); type of victimisation; type of respondent; results; whether the study examined rate of victimisation; and whether the study identified risk factors for victimisation. Results: Twenty-three studies met the inclusion criteria. Sixteen studies focused on several forms of victimisation, including sexual abuse (n = 9) and multiple forms of victimisation (n = 7). Seven studies concerned risk factors for social vulnerability, identifying factors related to aspects of the person and aspects of the environment. Conclusion: While a sub-field of intellectual disability research related to victimisation-social vulnerability exists, more research is needed to understand the motives behind instances of victimisation and to prevent these experiences from occurring. We provide research, intervention, and policy recommendations. What is already known about this topic1 Compared to even a decade or two ago, adults with intellectual disability are increasingly living, working, and actively participating in the larger community. Especially when provided with necessary help and supports, most of these individuals live successful lives. 2 Compared to the general population, however, persons with intellectual disability are much more often the victims of crime and abusive incidents. 3 Certain adults with intellectual disability are more likely to be victimised. Risk factors include the presence of intellectual disability itself, as well as higher levels of behaviour problems and poor interpersonal competence. What this paper adds1 Using as its starting point a landmark article from Wilson and Brewer (1992), this study examined the past 23 years of the field of vulnerability-victimisation directed at adults with intellectual disabilities. We identified 23 articles, which varied in country of origin, design, reporter, and types of victimisation examined. 2 The field continues to be focused mostly on prevalence rates and risk factors for victimisation. Adults with intellectual disability continue to experience higher rates of abuse-victimisation, involving virtu...

Sexuality issues and the voices of adults with intellectual disabilities: A systematic review of the literature

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Promoting Independence of People with Intellectual Disabilities: A Focus Group Study Perspectives from People with Intellectual Disabilities, Legal Representatives, and Support Staff

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