Dick Sobsey

Patterns of sexual abuse and assault

Patterns of sexual abuse and sexual assault are analyzed from 162 reports involving victims with disabilities. Results suggest that abuse and assault are frequently repeated and chronic, often result in significant harm to the victim, and are rarely reported to child welfare or law enforcement authorities. Many offenses are committed by paid service providers and occur in disability service settings, but other offenses occur in the same situations as sexual abuse and assault of victims without disabilities. Victims are predominantly female and offenders are predominantly male. Charges and convictions are rare. Victims with disabilities often experience difficulty obtaining treatment services that are accessible and appropriate to their needs. Discussion considers a multifactorial, ecological model of abuse and recommends some possible prevention strategies.

Transformational outcomes associated with parenting children who have disabilities.

In this study we explored transformations--significant and positive changes--in the lives of parents of children with disabilities. In the first phase of the study, we interviewed 15 parents of children with disabilities about their experiences as parents. Results were qualitatively analyzed to develop themes. In the second phase, we surveyed 80 parents using an instrument that measured agreement with the themes from the first phase. Results indicated that most parents reported many positive changes in their lives as a result of parenting a child with a disability. These included three major areas: (a) personal growth, (b) improved relations with others, and (c) changes in philosophical or spiritual values.

Gender differences in abused children with and without disabilities

OBJECTIVE Two questions were posed: (1) What are the proportions of boys and girls in various categories of substantiated child abuse? (2) Do the gender proportions differ for children with and without disabilities? METHOD Data collected by previous researchers from a demographically representative sample of U.S. child abuse reporting districts was analyzed. This included 1,249 case files involving 1,834 children. The number of girls and boys who did and did not have disabilities was identified for three age categories and for several categories of abuse. Chi-square analyses were used to determine whether there was a relationship between disability and gender for the various age and abuse categories. RESULTS More boys were physically abused and neglected, but more girls were sexually abused. Boys with disabilities, however, were over-represented in all categories of abuse. Moreover, gender proportions among abused children with disabilities differed significantly from those found among other abused children. Although slightly more than half of abused children without disabilities were girls, 65% of abused children with disabilities were boys. CONCLUSIONS Boys represented a significantly larger proportion of physically abused, sexually abused, and neglected children with disabilities than would be expected from their respective proportion of abused and neglected children without disabilities. Several possible explanations for the observed gender and disability status interaction are discussed.

Clinical Findings among Sexually Abused Children with and without Developmental Disabilities.

Although children with developmental disabilities have a heightened risk for sexual abuse compared to those without disabilities, little is known about effects of sexual abuse on this population. Some researchers suggest that the effects are similar, and victims appear to share the same range of variability as people without disabilities. Others suggest that the effects may be complicated by limited coping resources and disability-related issues. Documented effects of sexual abuse on individuals with developmental disabilities was discussed. Clinical findings among a group of 43 children with and 43 children without developmental disabilities referred for treatment of child sexual abuse were also presented.

The Experience of Parenting an Adolescent with Autism

This study used qualitative research methodology to investigate the experiences of parents of adolescents with autism. Eight parents, representing six separate family units, were interviewed. The primary objectives were to understand the experiences in the lives of the parents interviewed and identify needs of adolescents with autism and their families. Six consistent themes emerged from the interview data: (a) behavioural concerns, (b) social and communication concerns, (c) family‐related concerns, (d) education and related services, (e) relationships with professionals, and (f) independence and future concerns. The findings were discussed in relationship to previous research findings and service provision.

Exceptionality, Education, and Maltreatment

Although the association between child maltreatment and childhood disability has been identified for many years, little was known about the nature or extent of the relation until recently. It is now apparent that children with a wide variety of disabilities are several times as likely to have a history of maltreatment as children without disabilities. Almost one third of children with special needs have substantiated histories of maltreatment and it is extremely likely that many others have experienced unreported or unsubstantiated maltreatment. Current research suggests three categories of relation between maltreatment and disability: (a) Maltreatment causes many disabilities, (b) children with disabilities are more vulnerable to maltreatment, and (c) some other primary causal factors increase risk for both violence and disability. Maltreatment is a significant impediment to student achievement whether a particular maltreated student is classified as having special needs and whether maltreatment was a significant factor in a students primary diagnosis. Similarly, maltreatment contributes substantially to student behavior problems. To be effective in addressing learning and behavior problems, teachers and schools must identify and respond to child maltreatment and its effects.

Benefit-finding or finding benefits? The positive impact of having a disabled child

This study investigated the positive impact of having a disabled child. The question addressed is whether the positive impacts reported by parents are better characterised as artefacts of stress-processing or transformational outcomes. A total of 538 parent-carers in Alberta, Canada completed a survey. Most parents reported benefits. Their reports were corroborated by measures of family cohesion and social support. Reported benefit had no observed stress-buffering effects. The findings suggest that reported benefits are not merely perceived for the sake of coping. These are better viewed as outcomes of a transformational life-learning process. When parent-carers report benefits, we should take them at their word.

An international perspective on patterns of sexual assault and abuse of people with disabilities.

Recent research of the Sexual Abuse and Disability Project at the University of Alberta included a survey of 208 sexual abuse and sexual assault victims with disabilities from Canada, New Zealand, and the United States. The reported patterns of sexual abuse and sexual assault were analyzed. Results from these three countries indicate that sexual abuse and assault are frequently repeated and chronic and often result in significant harm to the victim. In addition, incidences of abuse are rarely reported to child welfare or law enforcement authorities; consequently, charges and convictions are rare. Many offenses are committed by paid service providers and occur in disability service settings, although other offenses occur in the same situations as sexual abuse and assault of victims without disabilities. Victims with disabilities often experience difficulty in obtaining accessible and appropriate treatment services. The implications for sexual abuse prevention and treatment are discussed.

The sexual abuse of young people with disabilities: Treatment considerations

Research has indicated that sexual abuse of individuals with disabilities is frequently repeated and chronic, and often results in significant harm to the victim. Furthermore, while abusers are most often family members or acquaintances, many offenses are committed by paid service providers and occur in disability service settings. Findings indicate that victims with disabilities often experience difficulty in obtaining treatment services that are accessible and appropriately adapted to their needs. Based on the necessity of appropriate treatment, considerations and strategies are discussed for therapy adaptations to meet the special needs of sexually abused young people with developmental disabilities.

Group psychotherapy for trauma-related disorders in people with intellectual disabilities

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is threefold: to summarize data on rates of sexual abuse and interpersonal trauma in people with intellectual disability (ID); to demonstrate the relationship between such trauma and psychological distress; and to describe a promising treatment technique for such exposed individuals.Design/methodology/approach – A review of the literature on rates of abuse and trauma among people with ID is presented with particular attention paid to the role of developmental level in both the experience and impact of trauma. Drawing from this understanding of the phenomenology of traumatic exposure in people with ID, the authors present a theoretical framework for psychotherapeutic intervention.Findings – This paper establishes the inverse relationship between the higher‐than‐average rates of trauma and interpersonal violence in the ID population, co‐occurring with lower‐than‐average access to treatment, and lower‐than‐average treatment model development for this population. Further, t...