Violence Against Individuals with Disabilities

For the 54.4 million Americans with disabilities, the risk of being a victim of crime, especially a victim of sexual assault, is 4 to 10 times higher than those without disabilities. Research studies (Powers, 2004; Nosek, 2001; Sobsey, 1994; Petersilia, 1998; Waxman, 1991) consistently report that there is a very high rate of sexual violence against people with physical and cognitive disabilities, as well as, those with significant speech/communication disabilities.

Compounding the physical and mental trauma of violence, crime victims with disabilities are less likely to seek medical attention and report the victimization to law enforcement due to limited access to the various aspects of the criminal justice system including domestic violence shelters. As a result, these crimes often go uninvestigated and are less likely to be prosecuted when they do go to court.

Soulful Presence is engaged in a variety of programs regarding violence against individuals with disabilities including the development of the First Responder Disability Awareness Briefing Project, a series of four, 10 minute informational DVDs with accompanying guides to be distributed to 134 law enforcement agencies throughout New Mexico.

These materials will train officers in how to effectively respond to:

1. individuals with physical disabilities such as mobility limitations and blindness who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking;
2. individuals who are deaf and/or hard of hearing who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking;
3. individuals with developmental disabilities who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking; and
4. individuals with mental illness who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking.