Abstract
An important and understudied form of interpersonal violence is sexual abuse among individuals with disabilities. Approximately 15% of the global population has a disability. Individuals with disabilities are at a higher risk of experiencing sexual abuse than individuals without disabilities. The experience of sexual abuse in individuals with disabilities is highly complex due to the individual variation, range of disabilities, and individuals’ intersecting identities. In addition, it is difficult to research this topic due to the reporting challenges faced by such a vulnerable population. This chapter underscores the problem of sexual abuse in individuals with disabilities and actions that can be taken to reduce its prevalence. It is written from a biopsychosocial perspective and considers this topic within an ethical and public health context. First, this chapter covers the scope of the problem and how it is defined. Next, it includes the main risk factors of sexual abuse in individuals with disabilities and intersectionality considerations. It also highlights factors that can be protective. The physical and psychological consequences of sexual abuse are detailed next. Subsequently, this chapter provides a recommended assessment strategy for identifying and reporting sexual abuse in individuals with disabilities. Empirically-supported intervention programs are evaluated and prevention efforts are described. Unique ethical situations are also detailed and discussed. This chapter concludes with future directions for the field to continue this research and take actionable steps to reduce sexual abuse among individuals with disabilities.
This chapter was initially published with an incorrect copyright holder name. It has been corrected to © Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Aakvaag, H. F., Thoresen, S., Wentzel-Larsen, T., Dyb, G., Røysamb, E., & Olff, M. (2016). Broken and guilty since it happened: A population study of trauma-related shame and guilt after violence and sexual abuse. Journal of Affective Disorders, 204, 16–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2016.06.004.
American Psychological Association. (2018). Sexual abuse. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/topics/sexual-abuse/index.aspx
Ballan, M. S., & Freyer, M. B. (2012). Self-defense among women with disabilities: An unexplored domain in domestic violence cases. Violence Against Women, 18(9), 1083–1107. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077801212461430.
Basile, K. C., Breiding, M. J., & Smith, S. G. (2016). Disability and risk of recent sexual violence in the United States. American Journal of Public Health, 106(5), 928–933. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2015.303004.
Belluck, P. (2015, April 13). Sex. Dementia, and a husband on trial at age 78. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/14/health/sex-dementia-and-a-husband-henry-rayhons-on-trial-at-age-78.html
Bowman, R. A., Scotti, J. R., & Morris, T. L. (2010). Sexual abuse prevention: A training program for developmental disabilities service providers. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse: Research, Treatment, & Program Innovations for Victims, Survivors, & Offenders, 19(2), 119–127. https://doi.org/10.1080/10538711003614718.
Breiding, M. J., & Armour, B. S. (2015). The association between disability and intimate partner violence in the United States. Annals of Epidemiology, 25(6), 455–457. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annepidem.2015.03.017.
Brenoff, A. (2015, April 23). Dementia and sex: What was really on trial with Henry Rayhons. The Huffington Post. Retrieved from https://www.huffingtonpost.com/ann-brenoff/dementia-and-sex-henry-rayhons_b_7122460.html
Burrows, C. J. (2013). Acceptance and commitment therapy with survivors of adult sexual assault: A case study. Clinical Case Studies, 12(3), 246–259. https://doi.org/10.1177/1534650113479652.
Center for Disease Control. (2018). The social-ecological model: A framework for prevention. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/overview/social-ecologicalmodel.html
Chang, C., Kaczkurkin, A. N., McLean, C. P., & Foa, E. B. (2018). Emotion regulation is associated with PTSD and depression among female adolescent survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Psychological Trauma Theory Research Practice and Policy, 10(3), 319–326. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0000306.
Clauss-Ehlers, C. S., Chiriboga, D. A., Hunter, S. J., Roysircar, G., & Tummala-Narra, P. (2019). APA multicultural guidelines executive summary: Ecological approach to context, identity, and intersectionality. American Psychologist, 74(2), 232–244. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000382.
Cohen, J. A., Mannarino, A. P., & Deblinger, E. (2013). Trauma-focused CBT for children and adolescents. New York: Guilford Press.
Cohen, J. A., Deblinger, E., & Mannarino, A. P. (2018). Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy for children and families. Psychotherapy Research, 28(1), 47–57. https://doi.org/10.1080/10503307.2016.1208375.
Courtney-Long, E. A., Caroll, D. D., Zhang, Q. C., Stevens, A. C., Griffin-Blake, S., Armour, B. S., & Campbell, V. A. (2015). Prevalence of disability and disability type among adults – United States, 2013. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 64, 777–783.
Crawford, D., & Ostrove, J. M. (2003). Representations of disability and the interpersonal relationships of women with disabilities. Women & Therapy, 26(3–4), 179–194. https://doi.org/10.1300/J015v26n03_01.
Cristobal, K. A. (2018). Power of touch: Working with survivors of sexual abuse within dance/movement therapy. American Journal of Dance Therapy, 40, 68. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10465-018-9275-7.
Curry, M. A., Powers, L. E., & Oschwald, M. (2003). Development of an abuse screening tool for women with disabilities. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 8(4), 123–141. https://doi.org/10.1300/J146v08n04_06.
East, P. L., & Hokoda, A. (2015). Risk and protective factors for sexual and dating violence victimization: A longitudinal, prospective study of Latino and African American adolescents. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 44(6), 1288–1300. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-015-0273-5.
Egemo-Helm, K. R., Miltenberger, R. G., Knudson, P., Finstrom, N., Jostad, C., & Johnson, B. (2007). An evaluation of in situ training to teach sexual abuse prevention skills to women with mental retardation. Behavioral Interventions, 22(2), 99–119. https://doi.org/10.1002/bin.234.
Findley, P. A., Plummer, S.-B., & McMahon, S. (2016). Exploring the experiences of abuse of college students with disabilities. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 31(17), 2801–2823. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260515581906.
Foa, E. B., Dancu, C. V., Hembree, E. A., Jaycox, L. H., Meadows, E. A., & Street, G. P. (1999). A comparison of exposure therapy, stress inoculation training, and their combination for reducing posttraumatic stress disorder in female assault victims. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 67(2), 194–200.
Hanson, S. L., & Kerkhoff, T. R. (2007). Ethical decision making in rehabilitation: Consideration of Latino cultural factors. Rehabilitation Psychology, 52(4), 409–420. https://doi.org/10.1037/0090-5550.52.4.409.
Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K., & Wilson, K. (1999). Acceptance and commitment therapy: An experiential approach to behavior change. New York: Guilford Press.
Hiraoka, R., Cook, A. J., Bivona, J. M., Meyer, E. C., & Morissette, S. B. (2016). Acceptance and commitment therapy in the treatment of depression related to military sexual trauma in a woman veteran: A case study. Clinical Case Studies, 15(1), 84–97. https://doi.org/10.1177/1534650115594004.
Hughes, K., Bellis, M. A., Jones, L., Wood, S., Bates, G., Eckley, L., … Officer, A. (2012). Prevalence and risk of violence against adults with disabilities: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Lancet (London, England), 379(9826), 1621–1629. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(11)61851-5
Institute of Medicine. (2015). Psychological testing in the service of disability determination. Washington, DC: National Academies Press.
Irish, L., Kobayashi, I., & Delahanty, D. L. (2010). Long-term physical health consequences of childhood sexual abuse: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 35(5), 450–461. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsp118.
Jones, L., Bellis, M. A., Wood, S., Hughes, K., McCoy, E., Eckley, L., … Officer, A. (2012). Prevalence and risk of violence against children with disabilities: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Lancet (London, England), 380(9845), 899–907. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60692-8
Khemka, I., Hickson, L., & Reynolds, G. (2005). Evaluation of a decision-making curriculum designed to empower women with mental retardation to resist abuse. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 110(3), 193–204. https://doi.org/10.1352/0895-8017. (2005)110<193:EOADCD>2.0.CO;2.
Kim, Y. (2016). Evaluation of a sexual abuse prevention program for children with intellectual disabilities. Behavioral Interventions, 31(2), 195–209. https://doi.org/10.1002/bin.1439.
Lewis, R. B. (2018). Navajo beliefs. Retrieved from http://www.discovernavajo.com/navajo-culture.aspx
Mahoney, A., & Poling, A. (2011). Sexual abuse prevention for people with severe developmental disabilities. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 23(4), 369–376. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-011-9244-2.
Mansell, S., Sobsey, D., & Calder, P. (1992). Sexual abuse treatment for persons with developmental disabilities. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 23(5), 404–409. https://doi.org/10.1037/0735-7028.23.5.404.
Marsella, A. J. (2010). Ethnocultural aspects of PTSD: An overview of concepts, issues, and treatments. Traumatology, 16(4), 17–26. https://doi.org/10.1177/1534765610388062.
McCreary, B. D., & Thompson, J. (1999). Psychiatric aspects of sexual abuse involving persons with developmental disabilities. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry / La Revue Canadienne de Psychiatrie, 44(4), 350–355. (1999-13984-003).
McEachern, A. G. (2012). Sexual abuse of individuals with disabilities: Prevention strategies for clinical practice. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse: Research, Treatment, & Program Innovations for Victims, Survivors, & Offenders, 21(4), 386–398. https://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2012.675425.
McGilloway, C., Smith, D., & Galvin, R. (2018). Barriers faced by adults with intellectual disabilities who experience sexual assault: A systematic review and meta-synthesis. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 33, 51. https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.12445.
McLean, L., Steindl, S. R., & Bambling, M. (2018). Compassion-focused therapy as an intervention for adult survivors of sexual abuse. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse: Research, Treatment, & Program Innovations for Victims, Survivors, & Offenders, 27(2), 161–175. https://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2017.1390718.
Meichenbaum, D. (1974). Cognitive behavior modification. Morristown: General Learning Press.
Milberger, S., Israel, N., LeRoy, B., Martin, A., Potter, L., & Patchak-Schuster, P. (2003). Violence against women with physical disabilities. Violence and Victims, 18(5), 581–590. https://doi.org/10.1891/vivi.2003.18.5.581.
Neille, J., & Penn, C. (2017). The interface between violence, disability, and poverty: Stories from a developing country. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 32(18), 2837–2861. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260515596332.
North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault. (2018). Mandatory reporting in NC. Retrieved from http://www.nccasa.org/cms/resources/criminal-statutes/mandatory-reporting-in-nc
Resick, P. A., Nishith, P., & Griffin, M. G. (2003). How well does cognitive-behavioral therapy treat symptoms of complex PTSD? An examination of child sexual abuse survivors within a clinical trial. CNS Spectrums, 8(5), 340–355.
Rich, K. (2014). “My body came between us”: Accounts of partner-abused women with physical disabilities. Affilia: Journal of Women & Social Work, 29(4), 418–433. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886109914522626.
Sanjeevi, J., Houlihan, D., Bergstrom, K. A., Langley, M. M., & Judkins, J. (2018). A review of child sexual abuse: Impact, risk, and resilience in the context of culture. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse: Research, Treatment, & Program Innovations for Victims, Survivors, & Offenders., 27, 622. https://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2018.1486934.
Sawrikar, P., & Katz, I. (2017). The treatment needs of victims/survivors of child sexual abuse (CSA) from ethnic minority communities: A literature review and suggestions for practice. Children and Youth Services Review, 79, 166–179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.06.021.
Shapiro, F., Vogelmann-Sine, S., & Sine, L. F. (1994). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing: Treating trauma and substance abuse. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 26(4), 379–391. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.1994.10472458.
Smith, S. G., Chen, J., Basile, K. C., Gilbert, L. K., Merrick, M. T., Patel, N., … Jain, A. (2017). The National Intimate partner and sexual violence survey (NISVS): 2010–2012 state report. National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Sobsey, D., & Doe, T. (1991). Patterns of sexual abuse and assault. Sexuality and Disability, 9(3), 243–259. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01102395.
United States Department of Justice. (2017). American with Disabilities Act Amendment Act. Retrieved from https://www.ada.gov/2010_regs.htm
Vagi, K. J., Rothman, E., Latzman, N. E., Tharp, A. T., Hall, D. M., & Breiding, M. J. (2013). Beyond correlates: A review of risk and protective factors for adolescent dating violence perpetration. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 42(4), 633–649. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-013-9907-7.
Walker-Williams, H. J., & Fouché, A. (2017). A strengths-based group intervention for women who experienced child sexual abuse. Research on Social Work Practice, 27(2), 194–205. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049731515581627.
Watts, B. V., Schnurr, P. P., Mayo, L., Young-Xu, Y., Weeks, W. B., & Friedman, M. J. (2013). Meta-analysis of the efficacy of treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 74(6), e551–e557. https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.12r08225.
Weis, R. (2018). Introduction to abnormal child and adolescent psychology (3rd ed.). Los Angeles: Sage.
Wilson, D. R. (2010). Health consequences of childhood sexual abuse. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, 46(1), 56–63. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6163.2009.00238.x.
World Health Organization. (2018). World report on disability. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/disabilities/world_report/2011/report/en/
Yoshida, K., DuMont, J., Odette, F., & Lysy, D. (2011). Factors associated with physical and sexual violence among Canadian women living with physical disabilities. Health Care for Women International, 32(8), 762–775. https://doi.org/10.1080/07399332.2011.555826.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Section Editor information
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this entry
Cite this entry
Stutts, L.A. (2020). Sexual Abuse Among Individuals with Disabilities. In: Geffner, R., White, J.W., Hamberger, L.K., Rosenbaum, A., Vaughan-Eden, V., Vieth, V.I. (eds) Handbook of Interpersonal Violence and Abuse Across the Lifespan. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62122-7_224-1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62122-7_224-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-62122-7
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-62122-7
eBook Packages: Springer Reference Behavioral Science and PsychologyReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences