1. A Call to Action: Preventing Childhood Sexual Abuse Among
Children with Intellectual Disabilities
September Johnson1, 2
1 Maternal Child Health Careers/Research Initiatives for Student Enhancement - Undergraduate Program, Kennedy
Krieger Institute
2University at Albany
PUBLIC HEALTH SIGNIFIGICANCE
KEY TERMS
REFERENCES
REACTIVE APPROACH FUTURE RECOMMENDATIONS
CONSEQUENCES OF SEXUAL ABUSE
RISK FACTORS
• Jones et al. (2012) calculated the prevalence of
sexual violence in children with an intellectual
disability (CID) to be 15 percent1
• CID, aged 0 to 18 years old, are at the highest risk for
sexual abuse1
o CID are 4.6 times more likely to be abused
compared to children without an intellectual
disability2
o Sexual abuse is prevalent in all age groups of
CID but those aged 13-18 are at a higher risk1
• Sexual Education
o Tailored sex education lessons with emphasis on
consent education from an early age
o Ongoing training for faculty and staff to help address
questions/actions of a sexual nature
• Awareness of Sexual Abuse
o Improve caregiver training on recognizing signs of
sexual abuse
• Innovation
o Create specialized victim services
o Develop new policy and a crime statistic system
o Further research/awareness building
INDICATORS OF SEXUAL ABUSE5 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Short Term3 • Pregnancy and STI risk
• Physical injuries
• Psychosomatic symptoms
• Behavioral difficulties
• Psychological consequences
Long Term Increased risk of:
• Becoming a perpetrator of sexual abuse1
• Substance abuse problems6
• Obesity and eating disorders6
• Becoming involved in crime6
• Adult victimization2
1. Wissink, I. B., van Vugt, E., Moonen, X., Stams, G.-J. J. M., & Hendriks, J. (2015). Sexual abuse
involving children with an intellectual disability (ID): A narrative review. Research in
Developmental Disabilities, 36, 20–35. doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2014.09.007
2. Smith, N., & Harrell, S. (2013, March). Sexual Abuse of Children with Disabilities: A National
Snapshot. Retrieved July 9, 2016, from
http://archive.vera.org/sites/default/files/resources/downloads/sexual-abuse-of-children-
with-disabilities-national-snapshot.pdf
3. People with intellectual disability & sexual violence. (2015, May 20). Retrieved July 9, 2016,
from The Arc., http://www.thearc.org/what-we-do/resources/fact-sheets/sexual-violence
4. Definition of Intellectual Disability. (2013). Retrieved July 9, 2016, from American Association
of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, http://aaidd.org/intellectual-
disability/definition#.V4EIqrgrK01
5. Autism Speaks. (2012, July 25). Recognizing and preventing sexual abuse. Retrieved July 16,
2016, from https://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/autism-safety-project/sexual-
abuse
6. Darkness to Light. Child Sexual Abuse Statistics. Retrieved July 9, 2016, from
http://www.d2l.org/atf/cf/%7B64AF78C4-5EB8-45AA-BC28-
F7EE2B581919%7D/all_statistics_20150619.pdf
7. Baxley, D., & Zendell, A. (2005). SEXUALITY EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SEXUALITY ACROSS THE LIFESPAN. Retrieved July 9, 2016,
from https://www.autismspeaks.org/docs/family_services_docs/parentworkbook.pdf
8. von Hippel, C., & Tsikitas, L. (2014). Healthy Relationships, Sexuality and Disability Resource
Guide 2014 Edition. Retrieved July 9, 2016, from http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dph/com-
health/prevention/hrhs-sexuality-and-disability-resource-guide.pdf
Sexual Abuse A pattern of sexually violent behavior. This
can include actions ranging from
inappropriate touching to rape3
Intellectual
Disability
Significant limitations in intellectual
functioning and adaptive behavior which
originates before the age of 18 4
Special thanks to Dr. Jenese McFadden, Shante Johnson, Dr. Patricia Kurtz, Dr.
Alexandra Harrington, Dr. Matthew Edelstein, Maureen van Stone, Esq., Mallory
Finn, Esq., and Michael Hogan for their assistance and support.
This poster was supported by the Cooperative Agreement Number
5U50MN000025 funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Disclaimer: The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors
and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention.
• Dependent on
adults for care1
• Trained compliance1
• Lack of
communication
skills3
• Social isolation1
• Lack of sex and sexual abuse
education1
• Societal view that devalues
people with disabilities1
• Increase in
nightmares and/or
other sleeping
difficulties
• Difficulty walking
or sitting
• Regressive
behaviors
• Changes in behavior
• Reluctance to be left alone with
certain persons
• Unusual/inappropriate sexual
knowledge, language, or
behaviors
REACTIVE
Child
Protective
Services
Mental
Health
Services
Medical
Services
ISSUES WITHIN THE PROACTIVE APPROACH
Sex education is rarely provided through the provision of
special education and related services. If it is provided, it
is not tailored to the needs of the student2
Curriculum Weaknesses
CIRCLES8 • Lacking information on sexual health
• Costly
Life Cycle - How We
Grow and Change8
• Hard to tailor for individualized
lessons
• Costly
Home education with
guide books and
talking tips5,7
• Potential misinterpretation and/or
original misconceptions regarding sex
and sexuality