According to the US Department of Justice, crimes against people with developmental disabilities doubled between 2009 and 2012. Molly Kennedy, Chairperson of the CA State Council on Developmental Disabilities, was a presenter at the recent TASH conference. http://conference.tash.org/sessions/abuse-of-persons-with-disabilities-a-silent-epidemic/

1. a silent epidemic
Mark Starford & Molly Kennedy
December 4, 2014
Abuse of People with Disabilities

2. Board Resource Center
The SCILS Group
Head of School
Inclusion Teacher
Board Resource Center Advisor
Chair, CA State Council
Advocacy Consultant
Mark Starford Molly Kennedy
mark@brcenter.org molly@brcenter.org
Facilitators

3. Empower people with knowledge
• Learn what abuse is
• Learn how to report abuse
• Learn how to reduce abuse
• Advocate for personal safety
Our passion
Kecia Weller Molly Kennedy

4. Frequency of abuse
Various forms of abuse
Courage to report abuse
Presentation focus

5. Happens twice as often as crimes against
people without disabilities
Department of Justice, 2014
Crimes against
people with developmental disabilities

6. Violent crimes doubled from 2009 to 2012
Department of Justice, 2014
Crimes against
people with developmental disabilities
2009
12 per 1,000
2012
24 per 1,000

7. Less likely to report abuse
Violent crimes do not get investigated enough
2012 Bureau of Justice Statistics report on Crimes Against Persons with Disabilities
Reporting

8. more likely to be abused
segregated from others
compliance reinforced
lack self protection skills
don’t know enough
about personal safety
People with disabilities are

9. 4 out of 10
experience some type of abuse

10. abusers know their victims
those with regular contact with victim
sexually abused females never
reported
… when reported, 55% not believed
Abuse and Neglect of People with Development Disabilities:
Dr. D Roof/Esser
66%
90%
Report abuse!

11. When someone uses their body or an object to
hurt you
What to look for -
• Bruises
• Wounds or broken bones
• Injuries that can’t be explained
Physical Abuse

12. When someone forces a person to take part in
sexual activity against their will
Evidence of abuse can include
• Bruises or pain in sexual body areas
• Sexually transmitted diseases
• Fear, depression or new behaviors
Sexual Abuse

13. When someone takes financial advantage of
you
• Stealing your money
• Forces you to use your ATM card
• Forces you to buy a gift for someone
• Forces you to lend them money
Financial Abuse

14. Intimidation Abuse
When someone acts in a way that causes
fear or harm
Sometimes people feel –
• Scared they will get in trouble
• Afraid to talk, they might be hurt
• Threatened with physical harm

15. Molly’s story

16. My Process
Learn
Report
lead
by
example

17. Our video

18. It will not stop, if you do not report
• Report or “Tell” even if you are not sure
Report to:
People you trust
Authorities (police, adult protective services)
Report

19. Empowerment
our plan
Share abuse video with our national network
Write letters to our legislators – better laws
Train police, fire, emergency service people
Empower self-advocates:
 speak out about abuse prevention
 make a new PSA video
 webinars, conferences, advocacy groups

20. Self-Advocates
• If you experienced abuse – report it!
• Educate friends about the types of abuse
• At meetings, talk about how to report abuse
• Share the video with advocacy groups

21. Professionals
Listen and observe!
 Share the video with advocacy groups
 Learn how to support a person you think
may have been abused

22. Questions