Our Alarming Reality! Abuse of Persons with Disabilities and What We Can Do About It. In 2014 the National Crime Victim Survey revealed that people with disabilities face a greater risk of being victimized compared to individuals without disabilities. Studies expose an epidemic rate of violent victimization. Slides from a webinar featuring California self-advocates Molly Kennedy and Kecia Weller. They are joined by Teresa Favuzzi, Executive Director of the CA Foundation for Independent Living Centers. The team shares ways all of us can make a difference in our communities. Let’s learn more to prevent more. Together we can curb this epidemic!

1. Empowering People with Disabilities
to Recognize and Report Abuse

2. Webinar Hosts:
Teresa Favuzzi Director CFILC
Kecia Weller Disability Advocate
Molly Kennedy Disability Advocate

3. 1. Human Rights
2. Silence = Violence Network
3. The Abuse Epidemic
4. Education and Safety
5. Community Awareness
6. Resources
Webinar Agenda

4. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Promote - Defend - Reinforce
Human Rights For All
Article #16: Freedom From
• Exploitation
• Violence
• Abuse
Human Rights
United Nations Logo

5. Purpose
• Create a public awareness campaign
• Share strategies: realistic and accessible
• Resource Website
• Adult Abuse Prevention Month – June 2017
NETWORK
Activities

6. Abuse
• Abuse can happen to anyone!
• We are victimized at a higher rate.
• We play an important role in educating the
community about abuse and prevention.
disability no disability

7. The Abuse Epidemic
Abuse is a way to gain and maintain power over a
person.
Abuse can be subtle or overt.
National Domestic Violence Hotline - http://www.thehotline.org/is-this-abuse/abuse-defined/

8. People with disabilities are “more likely" to be abused
than their peers without disabilities.
• Thought of as defenseless
• Higher dependence on care givers
• Have fewer self-protection skills
The Abuse Epidemic

9. People with Disabilities
• Most of the time know their offender.
• Report crime less frequently.
• Their disability can make it difficult to report.
• Reporting and investigation is often delayed.
• Abuse that happens in programs is often treated
as an employment issue, and NOT reported.
http://www.disabilityrightsca.org/legislature/Principles/102801.htm
Abuse Facts

10. 2012 survey:
More than 70% of people with disabilities had been abused.
Abuse Facts
People with disabilities are abused at a higher rate: DOJ Victims of Crime 2015

11. Acquaintance (41%)
Stranger (31%)
Partner (15%)
Other relative (9%)
Unknown (4%)
Abuse Facts
Who Commits the Abuse?
People with disabilities are abused at a higher rate: DOJ Victims of Crime 2015

12. 50% of all violence occurs against people with
multiple disabilities
Abuse Facts
68% rapes/sexual assaults
56% aggravated assaults
50% simple assaults
37% robberies

13. Abuse Facts - Children
About 1 in 4 children with a disability will
experience violence
20% will be victims of
physical violence
14% will be victims of
sexual violence

14. 2013: Violent crime was more than
3 times higher for persons with
disabilities
2009 to 2013: Rate of assault
(serious injury) against persons with
disabilities rose 57%
Violent Crime
57%
People with disabilities are abused at a higher rate: DOJ Victims of Crime 2015

15. • Experience more abuse
• Not believed
• Loss of home, job or friends
• Compliant “easy targets”
• Do not know their rights
• Difficulty identifying abuse
• Lack of education about safety
Reasons for Not Reporting
FEAR
BARRIERS

16. Over 70% of abuse cases against adults with
disabilities go unreported.
Domestic Violence & Disability http://www.bflnyc.org/about-us/domestic-violence-disability/
Reporting Facts
70%

17. Domestic Violence & Disability http://www.bflnyc.org/about-us/domestic-violence-disability
5%
70%
Reporting Facts
Crimes against people with
disabilities that are prosecuted.
Crimes against people without
disabilities that are prosecuted

18. Typical Types of Abuse
• Physical
• Neglect and Disability
• Sexual
• Financial
• Emotional

19. Typical signs can include:
bruises, wounds, broken bones,
burns or unexplained injuries.
Acts of violence, such as:
beating, shoving, shaking,
kicking, burning, or biting.
Physical
Unwanted contact with your body. A person uses their
body or object to hurt another on purpose.

20. Neglect and Disability
A person is not being taken care of - or abandoned.
Not getting needed personal care, adequate food or
medications.
A caregiver refusing to help the person
Someone breaks disability
equipment on purpose.

21. Sexual Abuse
When person is forced to do sexual acts. Can include
verbal, gestures or sexual contact.
When force is immediate, it’s sexual assault.
• Unwanted advances
• Unwanted pain or humiliation
• Transmit sexual diseases
• Use of objects without consent
http://www.pandys.org/whatissexualabuse.html

22. Kecia’s Story: Reporting
Bus trip:
Unwanted touch
Making a report:
Law enforcement experience

23. Someone acts in a way that causes fear or harm.
• Being yelled at, bullied, threatened, or isolated.
• Feel unsafe and unsure
• Control what you do
• Fear of revenge
• Threatened with physical harm
Emotional/Intimidation

24. Molly’s Story: Intimidation
Using authority to gain control:
Verbal and written threats to damage your reputation.
• Volunteer Advocate
• Expressive about policies
• Office filed abuse report
• Investigated
• Case dismissed
• Disability training needed

25. Taking financial advantage of the person. Gaining
control over someone’s money.
• Stealing money or credit cards
• Forcing person to use ATM card
• Forcing person to buy a gift
• Forcing person to lend money
Financial

26. Kecia’s Story: Financial Abuse
Unauthorized ATM debit card withdrawal
• Provider used ATM card
• Reported to social worker
• Filed report with police
• Investigated
• Person prosecuted

27. Safety Plans can include:
• Identification card
• Emergency contacts in cell phone.
• Identifying a “Trusted Person”.
• Joining advocacy and social groups.
• Being an active community member.
http://www.centerforpreventionofabuse.org/?page_id=1328
Creating a Personal Plan

28. • Lack experience with disabilities.
• Need experience with asking open ended questions.
• Provide accommodations.
• People with disabilities are training partners.
The Police Chief Magazine, 2014:
Law Enforcement/Criminal Justice

29. Law Enforcement
• Plenty of time to tell the story.
• Interviewer uses understandable words.
• Meet 1:1, “private safe place”.
• Have few distractions.
KNOW
YOUR
RIGHTS

30. Making a Report
If you are reporting for someone, you are asked:
• Why are you concerned?
• Have you seen or heard abusive behavior?
• Does the person have medical issues?
• Does the person have support (family, caregiver)?
• You are protected from liability (civil and criminal)
• and against retaliation by an employer.
• You don’t need to prove abuse!
http://www.centerforpreventionofabuse.org/?page_id=1328

31. Mandated Reporters
Any person who has full or occasional
responsibility for care or custody of an
elder or dependent adult.
Reporters include:
supervisors, licensed staff or care overseer, health
practitioner, APS employee or law enforcement.
Report if?
• The person reports abuse or an incident is observed.
• An unexplained injury where abuse is suspected.

32. Mandated Reporters
When to report?
Verbal report immediately or as soon as practical,
follow up with a written report within two days.
Who makes the report?
The person who has direct knowledge.
What type of abuse should be reported?
Physical, neglect, financial, abandonment,
abduction, treatment that results in harm, pain or
mental suffering.
Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code §§ 15630-15632 Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Abuse Civil Protection Act
Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 15700 Protective Placements and Custody of Endangered Adults
Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code §§ 15703-15705.40 Protective Services
Cal. Pen. Code § 368 Crimes Against Elders and Dependent Adults

33. Community Awareness
Create or join an Abuse Awareness Coalition
Community organizations that focus on educating
the public about the frequency of abuse.
Education and Outreach

34. Making a Difference
• Join groups
• Educate law enforcement
• Encourage reporting
• Train care providers
• Advocate for better laws

35. Resources
Call 911 - if you are in danger and need help right away
Crisis Text Hot Line: Text “GO” to 741741
National Domestic Violence Hot Line 800-799-SAFE
Adult Protective Services (APS) Each County has an agency.
Immediate
Links &
Publications
Department of Developmental Services (DDS) Publication: SafetyNet
“Prevent Abuse and Neglect”
National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability
Pathways to Justice and additional victim/law enforcement resources
The Arc National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability
Disability Rights California (DRC) 800-776-5746. Publication:
“Reporting Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse: It is YOUR Duty”
Public Service Video
Abuse of People with Disabilities: A Silent Epidemic
California Family and Domestic Violence Referral Directory: Publication
County-specific resources for family and domestic violence

36. You Tube Video:
Abuse of Persons with Disabilities: A Silent Epidemic
• Abuse is never the fault of the person.
• Listen - Observe - Report
• Raise your voice to stop abuse!
Thank you
Kecia Weller
kecia@brcenter.org
Molly Kennedy
molly@brcenter.org