Risk Factors for Sexual Violence Among People with Cognitive and Developmental Disabilities

The Abuse Prevention Disability Task Force completed a literature review in 2018-2019 to identify risk factors associated with sexual violence and people with cognitive and developmental disabilities. Sexual violence (SV) primary prevention requires increasing protective factors and reducing/eliminating sexual violence perpetration risk factors; and though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have identified risk and protective factors for sexual violence perpetration, the research may not include people with cognitive and developmental disabilities. People with cognitive and developmental disabilities communicate using a variety of methods and some people do not use written or spoken “standardized” language. The result is hundreds of thousands of people are left out of scientifically designed SV data collection practices, such as NISVS and YRBSS. The task force literature review included science-based evidence (journal articles), practice-based evidence (toolkits), and practice wisdom (community resources) created after the year 2000.

Risk Factor Infographics

Risk Factor Plain Text

These free and readily available resources reviewed (see citations below) generally associated risk factors with victimization and with disability increasing one’s risk for sexual violence victimization (as a result of structural inequities that place people with disabilities at greater risk). There were no clear findings to report beyond the CDC about risk and protective factors for perpetration. The task force organized the sexual violence risks for victimization across the social ecological model according to the level of their impact on people with disabilities, including cognitive and developmental disabilities. We are developing recommendations to pass along to those who are interested, so keep checking back.

Orgainizational Risk Factors for People with Disabilities

Societal Risk Factors For People with Disabilities — Orgainizational Risk Factors for People with Disabilities

References:

Alriksson-Schmidt, A. I., Armour, B. S., & Thibadeau, J. K. (2010). Are Adolescent Girls With a Physical Disability at Increased Risk for Sexual Violence? Journal of School Health, 80, 361–367. doi:10.1111/j.1746-1561.2010.00514
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. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2015.303004
Cowley, Kelsey, Fellow, Self-Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center. (2018). Starting the Conversation: A Toolkit for Self-Advocates to Talk About Sexual Violence in Their Community. Toolkit available online February 13, 2020 at: https://selfadvocacyinfo.org/resource/starting-the-conversation-a-toolkit-for-self-advocates-to-talk-about-sexual-violence-in-their-community/
Davis, Leigh Ann, M.S.S.S.W., M.P.A., L.A.D. (2019). Resources, People with Intellectual Disability and Sexual Violence. The Arc. Retrieved online at May 20, 2019: https://www.thearc.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=2457
Euser, S. , Alink, L. R., Tharner, A. , IJzendoorn, M. H. and Bakermans‐Kranenburg, M. J. (2016). The Prevalence of Child Sexual Abuse in Out‐of‐home Care: Increased Risk for Children with a Mild Intellectual Disability. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 29: 83-92. doi:10.1111/jar.12160
Fredriksen-Goldsen, Karen I., Hyun-Jun Kim, and Susan E. Barkan (2012). Disability Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Adults: Disparities in Prevalence and Risk. American Journal of Public Health 102, e16_e21. doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2011.300379
Hughes K, Bellis MA, Jones L, Wood S, Bates G, Eckley L, McCoy E, Mikton C, Shakespeare T, Officer A. (2012). Prevalence and risk of violence against adults with disabilities: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Lancet; doi:10.1016/S0410-6736(11)61851-5.
Keilty, J & Connelly, G. (2001). Making a statement: An exploratory study of barriers facing women with an intellectual disability when making a statement about sexual assault to police. Disability & Society, 16 (2), 273-291.
Krahn, Gloria L. PhD, MPH, Deborah Klein Walker, EdD, and Rosaly Correa-De-Araujo, MD, PhD (2015). Persons with Disabilities as an Unrecognized Health Disparity Population. American Journal of Public Health, Supplement 2, 2015, Vol. 105, No. S2., p. S198. Retrieved November 1, 2018 from: https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/pdf/10.2105/AJPH.2014.302182
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Violence Prevention (2020). Risk and Protective Factors. Accessed online May 20, 2019 at https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/sexualviolence/riskprotectivefactors.html
Normand, C.L. and Sallafranque‐St‐Louis, F. (2016), Cybervictimization of Young People With an Intellectual or Developmental Disability: Risks Specific to Sexual Solicitation. Journal ofApplied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 29:99-110. doi:10.1111/jar.12163
Plummer, S.-B., & Findley, P. (2012). Women With Disabilities’ Experience With Physical and Sexual Abuse: Review of the Literature and Implications for the Field. Trauma Violence Abuse 2012 13: 15. Accessed online May 21, 2019 at:
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Patricia_Findley/publication/51787909_Women_With_Disabilities’_Experience_With_Physical_and_Sexual_Abuse/links/0deec5304c5a1c79d8000000.pdf
Taggart, L. & R. McMillan (2009). Listening to women with intellectual disabilities and mental health problems: a focus on risk and resilient factors. Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 2009, vol 13(4) 321‒340. doi: 10.1177⁄1744629509353239
West Virginia Foundation for Rape Information and Services (2019). West Virginia S.A.F.E. Training and Collaboration Toolkit, Serving Sexual Violence Victims with Disabilities, B1.1 Sexual Violence 101. Sexual Victimization of Persons with Disabilities: Prevalence and Risk Factors Sexual Victimization of Persons with Disabilities: Prevalence and Risk Factors. West Virginia Foundation for Rape Information and Services. Accessed online May 20, 2019 at:
https://www.arcnj.org/file_download/eeead953-679c-4937-9f6e-596248f9261e

Credit

Research conducted and post written by Cierra Olivia Thomas-Williams, Prevention Specialist, Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV), cwilliams@icadvinc.org. Infographics created by Kat Chappell, Outreach and Operations Manager, Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities, kchappell@gcpd.in.gov. Post edited by Skye Ashton Kantola (she/they), Assistant Director at Multicultural Efforts to End Sexual Assault, kantola@purdue.edu.

Wings

By artst: Tara

This piece was sent as simple text that reads: “you took me in with broken wings, nursed me over time, helped me move past many things, and taught me how to fly. When things began to fall apart, and darkness turned to stone, your kind embrace and warming heart, began to feel like home. You mended every shattered dream, with patience, gentle grace, and in your light, my spirit gleamed, I found my peace in this safe space. Now as I soar on newfound wings, and face the skies so wide, your wisdom guides me through the nigh t, and lifts me up with pride.”

Artist: Tara (She/Her)
Interview:
This project has been exciting for a number of reasons but especially because we had the opportunity to talk to each of the artists about their piece. Here is just some of what Tara (She/Her) shared with us on September 6th, 2024.

Tara (She/Her) is a lover of all things purple and DND (Dungeons and Dragons). She is a neurodivergent young adult living in a housing program for LGBTQ+ youth.

Describing their Art:
Tara wanted to capture some of the thoughts that have been going through her head since she moved into the housing program she is in.
“Everything that I thought I was never going to have I’ve been able to work towards and get.”
For Tara, safe, stable, and nurturing environments have people who are just there to help guide you through the good and the challenging bits life has to offer.
Those people ask what you need instead of assuming.
“A lot of the time people just put things in place, but they don’t ask anybody who it would actually effect.”
To those who are having a difficult time…
“When things seem down there are places and people that can help get you to where you can thrive.”
To those who work with young people like Tara…
“Thank you.”

Kenadie’s Safe Place

By Artist: Kenadie

Description of Art:
Front: This piece is painted and drawn on a rectangle canvas. It shows a bedroom with yellow walls, tan-colored flooring, a white open door, and typical bedroom furniture. The dresser drawers are open with clothes spilling out of them. The waste basket is overflowing, there is a book on the floor, and someone sitting in their bed on the right side of the room. The person has storm clouds with lightning above them and a thought bubble with the following words: Bills, Crime, Love, Food, Family, Success, School, and Job.

Back: The back of this canvas has a note from the artist written in pencil. This drawing represents anxiety and depression to me cause even though you’re in your so called Safe Space and where I feel most comfortable things around you that would make you happy can’t even get you out of bed. You have everything around you to make you happy but no motivation to do so. Anxiety will cloud my mind and I worry about everything all at once and I lose sleep, and precious productive time. I try not to overthink and just lay down but it never works. I feel like anxiety and depression go hand in hand and if you can eliminate one it feels a little better. Being in my room in general helps my anxiety and where I feel most free to release my emotions and isolate.

Artist: Kenadie (She/Her)
Interview:
This project has been exciting for a number of reasons but especially because we had the opportunity to talk to each of the artists about their piece. Here is just some of what Kenadie (She/Her) shared with us on August 5th, 2024.

Kenadie (She/Her) is a lover of art including drawing, poetry, and tattoos. She is a young adult living in a housing program for LGBTQ+ youth and she experiences depression and anxiety.

Describing their Art:
When Kenadie thought about submitting art for this project the first thing that came to mind was her safe space, her room. Her room is the space where she gets to be alone with her thoughts and she has everything she needs. Even though it is her safe space, anxiety and depression can still come through. She was very intentional about portraying a space that is dark, “kind of dingy” to emphasize how it feels late at night.
For Kenadie, a safe, stable, and nurturing environment has routine but the people supporting you let you take things step by step.
“There can be better days, where you get up and feel motivated. You just feel the emotions through, it’s okay to feel them and feel low sometimes but when you’re ready just pick up and keep going.”

The Semicolon

Artist: Mo Clark

Description of Art:
This piece is on a white rectangle canvas and was created using a variety of colorful markers. At the center of the piece is a side profile of a person in black ink. Inside the side profile where the brain would be is a plethora of colorful scribbles going in a circular motion. At the center of the scribes is a silver-colored semi colon. At the bottom right edge of the piece is the artist’s signature, black letters “MCC” with 3 dots under the letters.

Artist: Mo Clark (They/Them)
Interview:
This project has been exciting for a number of reasons but especially because we had the opportunity to talk to each of the artists about their piece. Here is just some of what Mo Clark (They/Them) shared with us on August 2nd, 2024.

Mo (They/Them) is a lover of art and music, in fact they can play the trumpet, cello, violin, mellophone, french horn, and guitar. They are a young adult living in a housing program for LGBTQ+ youth and they describe themself as both neurodivergent and disabled.

Describing their Art:
Mo shared that they have multiple “mental illnesses” but did not start to consider themselves as disabled until the government did. They said that the scribbles represented the “mess” in your head when you have multiple mental health conditions. The center of the scribbles is a semicolon, as a symbol for the chronic suicidality that they’ve dealt with.
“It’s a symbol to continue on and not stop.”
For Mo, a safe, stable, and nurturing environment is weapon free and encourages you to continue living life and writing your story.
“Not all disabilities are visible, they’re in your head and they’re messy.”

Artistic Reflections on Disability and Acceptance

Everyone Loves Dogs By Lessa

Description of Art: This piece was created on paper, in a vertical rectangle shape, using colorful markets in pink, blue, orange, green, and black. There is a poem centered along the piece and it reads: “When you hear me, I make a mistake, You raise your hand, And I don’t fear it, There is a weight on my head, It isn’t stress, It’s your hand, Patting me like a dog, Everyone loves dogs, And you love me, And you love me..” There is a green road-like line going through the middle of the piece, horizontally. Throughout the piece there are dots, stars, squiggly lines going in a circle, and hearts. At the edges of the piece there is a green house and bookshelf. There is a blue silhouette of a dog’s head. There is also a pink book, a pink silhouette of a cat’s head and a pink drawing pencil.

Artist: Lessa (They/It) Interview:
This project has been exciting for a number of reasons but especially because we had the opportunity to talk to each of the artists about their piece. Here is just some of what Lessa (They/It) shared with us on August 9th, 2024.

Lessa (They/It) is a lover of digital and physical art, in fact they sometimes take commissions. They are a young adult living in a housing program for LGBTQ+ youth and described themself as a queer non-binary lesbian with both physical and mental disabilities.

Describing their Art:

“When I first got to (housing program) I found it really hard to sleep in my bedroom because I was anticipating the other shoe drop, where it would be revealed that it was not in fact as safe as it was.”

Lessa recalled some advice that people should avoid reaching to pet the top of a dog’s head because it could create fear. They said there is panic that comes with being helped because you expect a “smack” and not the weight of a “gentle hand” on your head.
“I’m allowed to not be a perfect human being and still be helped. I’m allowed to make mistakes and there still be a roof over my head and food on my table.”

Lessa feels like the program they’re in reaches out, not with anger but with concern when they are struggling. They want to know how to make it better, make it okay, “And what is more okay than a dog?”

When it comes to systems… Lessa feels like the people who get to decide if they are “disabled enough” don’t understand the disabled experience.

“People in power around disability seem to be inclined to assume they know the best and treat disabled people like they’re all children or stupid, especially people with mental disabilities.”

Lessa was intentional about using the line “When you hear me” in their poem to emphasize how important it is to listen to disabled folks.
When it comes to the folks who view this piece…

Lessa expressed hope that you find humor in the way they compare themself to a dog but also see the symbolism.

“A dog is man’s best friend, this person just wants to be liked, understood, and accepted. Dogs will tear apart entire houses and people will forgive them. And yet, if a person does that because of a mental illness or a disability, they’re usually demonized…Try to understand why.”

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