|
 |
Victimization of Persons with Traumatic Brain Injury or Other Disabilities:
A Fact Sheet for Friends and Families
What is victimization? Download the PDF
Victimization is harm caused on purpose. It is not an “accident” and can happen anywhere. While anyone can be victimized, people with disabilities are at greater risk for victimization than people without disabilities. This fact sheet provides a general overview of victimization and the risks to people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and other disabilities.
What does victimization include?
-
Physical violence with or without a weapon1, 2
-
Sexual violence of any kind including rape3
-
Emotional abuse, including verbal attacks or being humiliated4, 5
-
Neglect of personal needs for daily life, including medical care or equipment6, 7
How often does victimization occur?
-
In the United States, people with disabilities are 4 to 10 times more likely to be victimized than people without them.8
-
Children with disabilities are more than twice as likely to be victimized as children without them.8, 9
What is known about victimization?
-
The two most common places for victimization are in hospitals and at home.10-12
-
Victims usually know the person who harms them. They can be health care workers, intimate partners, or family members.13-15 More men than women cause harm to people with disabilities.12, 15
Why are people with a TBI at risk for victimization? A TBI may cause problems that can increase risk. Known problems include:
-
Difficulty understanding risky situations or avoiding risky persons16, 17
-
Difficulty controlling one’s temper which causes others to get angry16
-
Behavioral problems, such as drinking too much18, 19
What can be done to help a friend or family member who is being victimized?20
-
Don’t be afraid to voice your concern for their safety
-
Acknowledge that they are in a very difficult and scary situation
-
Be supportive
-
Don’t be judgmental
-
Encourage them to talk to people who can provide help and guidance
-
Help them plan safety steps so that they will know what to do and how to reduce their risk of harm when they are being victimized
-
Remember that you cannot "rescue" them
Getting Help:
-
Dial 911 if you need immediate assistance.
-
Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at: 1-800-799-SAFE or
TTY 1-800-787-3224
This hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Confidential services include crisis intervention, safety planning, and referrals to local service providers. Assistance is available in English and Spanish, and in other languages.
More Information:
CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
This site provides an overview and fact sheet regarding intimate partner violence.
www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/ipvoverview.htm This site includes a list of organizations working to prevent victimization. : www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/ipvlinks.htm The National Domestic Violence Hotline
This site provides a wide range of information and links to many prevention and support groups.
www.ndvh.org/educate/online.html
References
1. Rosenberg, ML, Mercy JA. Assaultive violence. In: Rosenberg ML, Fenley MA, editors. Violence in America. New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press; 1991. p. 14–50.
2. Department of Health and Human Services (US), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Intimate partner violence: overview [online]. 2006 [cited 2006 Apr 19]. Available from URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/ipvoverview.htm.
3. Department of Health and Human Services (US), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Uniform definitions for
sexual violence [online]. 2004 [cited 2006 Apr 18]. Available from URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/pubres/sv_surveillance/04_uniform_definitions.htm. 4. Nosek MA, Howland CA, Hughes RB. The investigation of abuse and women with disabilities: going beyond assumptions. Violence Against Women 2001;7(4):477–99.
5. Curry MA, Powers LE, Oschwald M. Development of an abuse screening tool for women with disabilities. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma 2003;8(4):123–41.
6. Verdugo M, Bermejo B. The mentally retarded person as a victim of maltreatment. Aggression & Violent Behavior 1997;2(2):143–65.
7. McFarlane J, Hughes RB, Nosek MA, Groff JY, Swedlend N, Dolan Mullen P. Abuse assessment screen-disability (AAS-D): measuring frequency, type, and perpetrator of abuse toward women with physical disabilities. Journal of Womens Health & Gender-Based Medicine 2001;10(9):861–6.
8. Petersilia JR. Crime victims with developmental disabilities: a review essay. Criminal Justice & Behavior 2001;28(6):655–94.
9. Sobsey D, Mansell S. An international perspective on patterns of sexual assault and abuse of people with disabilities. International Journal of Adolescent Medicine & Health 1994;7(2):153–78.
10. Sobsey D, Mansell S. An international perspective on patterns of sexual assault and abuse of people with disabilities. International Journal of Adolescent Medicine & Health 1994;7(2):153–78.
11. Turk V, Brown H. The sexual abuse of adults with learning disabilities: results of a two year incidence survey. Mental Handicap Research 1993;6(3):193–216.
12. Brown H, Turk V. Sexual abuse in adulthood: ongoing risks for people with learning disabilities. Child Abuse Review 1994;3(1):26–35.
13. Oktay JS, Tompkins CJ. Personal assistance providers’ mistreatment of disabled adults. Health & Social Work 2004;29(3):177–88.
14. Milberger S, Israel N, LeRoy B, Martin A. Violence against women with physical disabilities. Violence and Victims 2003;18(5):581–91.
15. Marley JA, Buila S. Crimes against people with mental illness: types, perpetrators, and influencing factors. Social Work 2001;46(2):115–24.
16. Kim E. Agitation, aggression, and disinhibition syndromes after traumatic brain injury. Neurorehabilitation 2002;17(4):297–310.
17. Levin HS. Neurocognitive/behavioral outcomes in children and adults. In: Ragnarsson KT, editor. Report of the NIH consensus development conference on the rehabilitation of persons with traumatic brain injury. Washington (DC): Department of Health and Human Services (US), Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health; 1999. p. 49–54.
18. Li L, Ford JA, Moore D. An exploratory study of violence, substance abuse, disability, and gender. Social Behavior & Personality 2000;28(1):61–71.
19. Kwasnica CM, Heinemann A. Coping with traumatic brain injury: representative case studies. Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation 1994;75(4):384–9.
20. National Domestic Violence Hotline. [online]. 2006 [cited 2006 July 28]. Available from URL: from www.ndvh.org.
Download the PDF
|
