Understanding Abuse and Reporting for Disabilities

Abuse Statistics

• People with disabilities are more likely to experience abuse than people without disabilities.

The Impact: Ability Program

• The IMPACT:Ability program helps people with disabilities and communities prevent abuse.
• It teaches people with disabilities skills to protect and advocate for themselves.
• It works with organizations that serve people with disabilities to ensure abuse reporting is handled well and abuse is prevented.

Challenges to Reporting Abuse

• People with disabilities are often not believed when they report abuse.
• It can be difficult for people with disabilities to recognize subtle abuse.
• People with disabilities may fear losing their independence, which makes reporting abuse difficult.

Scenario: Abuse at the Workplace

• Bill, a coworker who is well-liked, begins to touch Sam inappropriately, a worker with a disability, at work.
• Sam tells Janelle, his supervisor, about the abuse.
• Janelle believes Sam and makes a call to the Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC).
• The DPPC is an independent state agency that investigates and remediates abuse against adults with disabilities.
• Bill is fired for his actions.

Importance of Support

• It’s important to provide support to the reporting individual, but ensure privacy is maintained.
• Only share information with people who are authorized by the reporting individual.
• Avoid gossiping about the situation.

Responding Responsibly to Abuse

• Respond to people with disabilities who report abuse by believing and supporting them.
• Avoid placing blame or taking away their independence.
• Protect the individual from further harm by taking appropriate action, such as reporting to the DPPC.
• Remember that people with disabilities deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, and to be free from abuse.

Scenario: Patty's Story

• Patty is a survivor of sexual violence.
• When she reported her rape to the police, she was re-victimized by the police and her family.
• Her family did not believe her story, and she was forced to move into a group home where she felt further victimized.
• Patty's experience highlights how people with disabilities can be punished after reporting abuse.

Proactive Prevention of Abuse

• Focus on interacting with people with disabilities with respect and dignity.
• Listen to their concerns and take their experiences seriously.
• Speak up against disrespectful or potentially abusive behavior.
• Respect their autonomy and allow them to make their own decisions about their lives.

Scenario: Becky's Story

• Becky, a worker with a disability, reports a disturbing behavior from her rideshare driver to her family.
• Her family believes her story and supports her by reporting the incident to the police.
• Becky’s story illustrates the importance of listening to individuals with disabilities and taking their concerns seriously.
• Becky's family provided her with support without taking away her independence.

Conclusion

• It’s essential to take abuse seriously and to create a culture of safety and support in which individuals with disabilities can feel comfortable reporting abuse without fear of re-victimization.
• Remember that abuse can be perpetrated by people we like and respect.
• People with disabilities deserve to be believed and to have their experiences validated.
• Protect the rights of individuals with disabilities by responding to abuse proactively and respectfully.

What is abuse?

• Emily is dismissive and emotionally abusive of Giselle, disguising it as humor.
• John, when trying to seek staff support, is dismissed.
• John describes feeling hopeless due to ongoing dismissal and disrespect, a lack of listening.

What to do when someone reports abuse to you

• Thank the person for telling you.
• Project a calm demeanor, even if you're upset or nervous.
• If necessary, ask for a quiet place to talk.
• Inform the person that you are a mandated reporter and must call the DPPC.
• Give the person the option of participating in the DPPC report.
• Make a report to DPPC.
• Inform the person if your agency policy requires you tell your supervisor or others.
• Get permission before sharing the report with unauthorized individuals.
• Ensure the person's physical safety.
• Inform the guardian if applicable but not if the guardian is the abuser.
• Know your organization's policy for staff-involved abuse.
• Do not voice doubts; investigation is the investigator's role.
• Refer the person to therapy, counseling, or support services if desired.
• Prioritize your own well-being.

What organizations can do to protect people with disabilities

• Create an atmosphere where people feel safe reporting abuse.
• Ensure there are no repercussions for reporting or participating in investigations.
• Safeguard employees who face retaliation for reporting abuse.

What personal care attendants should do

• Respect the home and its occupants.
• Knock on doors.
• Respect and heed wishes and requests.

What organizations need to realize

• Providers balance safety and choice for individuals with disabilities.
• Organizations must be capable of handling abuse situations.
• Potential for abuse should be acknowledged.

This quiz explores the prevalence of abuse among individuals with disabilities and the challenges they face in reporting such incidents. It also highlights the IMPACT:Ability program, which empowers disabled individuals to advocate for themselves. Join us to learn about important issues relating to workplace abuse and effective reporting strategies.