The intellectually disabled face a high risk of sexual assault, often from those closest to them

April is Sexual Assault Awareness month, a time to focus on the sexual assault of people who are exceptionally vulnerable. In this two-part series, we will talk about sexual assault of people with intellectual disabilities and, later this month, sexual assault of the elderly.

Most people with disabilities will experience some form of sexual assault in their lifetimes. Victims who have some form of intellectual disability (mental retardation and developmental disabilities) are at the highest risk of abuse. More than 90 percent will experience sexual abuse, and 49 percent will experience 10 or more incidents.

Why are people with intellectual disabilities at such risk for sexual assault? One reason is that they are taught early to do what they are told. They are expected to take direction from caregivers or staffs of group homes or agencies. This conditioned compliance makes them more likely to acquiesce in sexual contact since they are only doing what they are told.

Another risk factor is that very same reliance on caregivers, whether the caregivers are family members or agency staff. In 30 percent of sexual assaults against persons with intellectual disabilities, the offender is a family member. In another 27 percent of cases, the offender is a service provider. People with intellectual disabilities may feel that they cannot refuse the demands of people on whom they depend and risk losing that person’s assistance.

Communication differences and challenges also increase the risk for sexual assault. People who have difficulty communicating will have a harder time telling anyone about the assault. An offender is more likely to assault someone who will not be able to describe what has occurred, or offer clear explanations even if the questions are asked.

Lack of sex education and sexual abuse prevention programs also increase the risk. Without accurate information about sex, a person with an intellectual disability may easily be manipulated into sexual contact. Because they have sexual feelings, their sexual curiosity can easily be exploited. And without information to recognize that exploitation or strategies to resist such attempts, their vulnerability increases.

Each year in the United States, 15,000-19,000 people with intellectual disabilities are raped. And yet, only 3 percent of these sexual abuse cases will be reported. This non-reporting provides an environment where abuse can continue to occur.

This is an incredibly vulnerable population, and one that has been tremendously underserved when it comes to services to address sexual assault. This year, the Sexual Assault Crisis Center (SACC) has committed to addressing this issue. We have developed a program called “Creating Connections” with the purpose of creating more informed and more effective system response to sexual assault victims with intellectual disabilities.

This project has allowed the agencies providing services to people with intellectual disabilities to work closely with SACC. We have engaged in cross training, so SACC can teach agency staffs about recognizing and responding to a sexual assault. The agency staffs have provided training to the SACC staff about intellectual disabilities, communication issues, and reporting mechanisms. Together, we have provided training to law enforcement about how to more effectively interview a victim who has an intellectual disability and may have communication challenges.

SACC will work with law enforcement to develop a training for agency staffs about how to respond to a sexual assault of a person in their care without destroying possible evidence of a crime. For example, one common response thought to provide comfort to a victim might be a hot bath. While this may help the victim feel better, it would wash away potential evidence of the assault. This limits the ability of law enforcement to gather evidence and conduct a thorough investigation.

Creating Connections has developed a task force focused on the issue of sexual assault and sexual abuse of people with intellectual disabilities. It will continue to create strategies to enhance safety and improve system response. We will work toward providing coordinated, multidisciplinary interviews of victims, and will increase the options for educating people with intellectual disabilities about the potential for sexual assault and sexual abuse. We will work to minimize their vulnerability and maximize their chances of receiving equal protections and rights.

By creating these connections, we make our community a safer place for everyone.

Marty McIntyre is executive director of the sexual assault crisis center in Auburn.