Regardless of age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or class, women with disabilities are assaulted, raped and abused at a rate more than two times greater than non-disabled women (Sobsey, 1994;Cusitar, 1994; DisAbled Women's Network, 1998)
The risk of being physically or sexually assaulted for adults with developmental disabilities is likely 4 to 10 times as high as it is for other adults (Sobsey, 1994)
Research has found that 68% to 83% of women with developmental disabilities will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime, which represents a 50% higher rate than the rest of the population (Sobsey,1988)
A study of 100 psychiatric inpatients found that 81% had been physically or sexually assaulted during their lifetime (Jacobson and Richardson, 1987)
50% of women with disabilities have been sexually abused as children, and 39% to 68% of girls with developmental disabilities in particular will be assaulted before age 18 (Roeher Institute, 1988)
Children with any kind of disability are almost twice as likely to be sexually abused (Petersilia, 1998)
A study of the victimization history of 93 adult women psychiatric emergency room patients, found that self-reported childhood sexual and physical abuse were common in this sample (53% and 42% respectively) and concluded that childhood sexual abuse was the most powerful predictor of later psychiatric symptoms and disorders (Briere et al, 1997)
Women with developmental disabilities are more likely to be re-victimized by the same person, and more than half never seek assistance with legal or treatment services (Pease and Frantz, 1994)
Virtually half (48.1%) of the perpetrators of sexual abuse against people with disabilities had gained access to their victims through disability services (Sobsey, 1994)
Caregivers commit at least 1/4 of all crimes against disabled women (Berkeley Planning Associates, 1997)
The Ultimate Guide to Sex and Disability: For All of Us Who Live with Disabilities, Chronic Pain and Illness by Cory Silverburg, Miriam Kaufman, Fran Odette, Cory Silverberg, Publisher: Cleis Press; (December 2003)ISBN:1573441767. The Ultimate Guide to Sex and Disability is a long-overdue self-help sex guide for the millions of people living with disabilities and chronic pain and illness. For sufferers of ailments from chronic fatigue syndrome and spinal cord injury to multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, and others, the book provides encouragement, support, and expert information on sex positions, orgasm, and sex toys. It also features illustrations, a resource guide with hundreds of books, websites, and organizations.
Enabling Romance: A Guide to Love, Sex and Relationships for People with Disabilities (and the People who Care About Them) by Ken Kroll, Erica Levy Klein, Publisher: No Limits Communications; (November 2001), ISBN: 0971284202. Enabling Romance candidly covers: shattering sexual stereotypes; building self-esteem; creative sexual variations; reproduction and contraception for people with disabilities; specific information on several different physical and sensory disabilities, including spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, postpolio syndrome, muscular dystropy, cerebral palsy, amputation, blindness and deafness.
Sexuality After Spinal Cord Injury : Answers to Your Questions by Stanley H., Phd Ducharme, Kathleen M., Phd Gill, Publisher: Brookes Publishing Company; (October 1996), ISBN: 1557662657. Anatomy, fertility, sexually transmitted diseases, self-esteem, sexual satisfaction, and parenting are among the many physical and emotional issues discussed in this candid and compassionate guide. Drawing heavily on the experiences of men and women living with spinal cord injury (SCI), this handbook relays practical information while acknowledging different lifestyles, tastes, values, and orientations.
Sexuality: Your Sons and Daughters with Intellectual Disabilities by Karin Melberg Schwier & Dave Hingsburger, Paul Brookes Publishing, ISBN 1557664285. Parents play a key role in making sure their child develops healthy sexuality, that sense of self confidence that makes us well adjusted people. In this touching and lively book you'll learn to interact with your children in a way that icreases self esteem, encourages appropriate behavior, empowers them to recognize and respond to abuse, and enables them to develop lifelong relationships. Parents share with you their stories, and individuals with intellectual disabilities explain what is important to them.
The Ethics of Touch: Establishing and Maintaining Appropriate Boundaries In Service to People with Developmental Disabilities By Dave Hingsburger and Mary Harber This training package looks at the delicate issue of touch. Those who provide direct care to people with developmental disabilities are often asked to be in private places performing intimate services. From bathing to toiletting to dressing, we are necessarily in close proximity to those we serve. Given this situation, it is imperative that staff be aware of how to provide these services while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries. How do we appropriately express affection toward those we serve? This video suggests new and healthy ways of helping people with disabilities fulfill their deepest needs.
Finger Tips: A guide for teaching about female masturbation By Dave Hingsburger and Sandra Haar, book and video
Just Say Know! By Dave Hingsburger This book explores the victimization of people with disabilities and helps reduce the risk of sexual assault.
Under Cover Dick: A guide for Teaching About Condom Use through Video and Inderstanding By Dave Hingsburger This book and video set provides clear directions regarding condom use. The video discusses transmissins as wellas demostrates the use of a comdom, plus the book provifes photos of each step involved.
Hand Made Love: A Guide for Teaching Male Masterbation By Dave Hingsburger, book and video
No! How!!! Co-written by Dave Hingsburger For too long others have determined what people with disabilities need to know to stop victimization. This video involved people with disabilities in acting, writing, producing and directing a film aimed at others with disabilities. From discussing disability to teaching boundaries and body parts, people with developmental disabilities take the lead.
Many of these can be found at Diverse City Press, http://www.diverse-city.com and at Amazon Books.
Back to Parents' Reading list.
Updated July 2004