Abuse of disabled under-reported

As much as civilization has evolved over the millennia, some weaknesses remain too stubbornly pervasive. Sadly, one is the temptation of bullies- inside the most fearful among us, hence their exaggerated need to feel powerful - to abuse those without defenses. Perhaps you noticed the article in last week's Press about the parents' hidden cameraswhich caught shocking verbal and other abuse of disabled children (in another state) by caregivers, teachers, and bus drivers.

Abuse of the disabled by those who should be helping them may not be the norm, but because this is an especially vulnerable population, they are more likely to be victimized and are the least likely to be able to report it. Increased awareness by the non-disabled is often the best and first defense.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, at least 36 million Americans - about 12 percent of the population - who are not institutionalized have a disability. About one third of these (including 2.1 million school-age children) have difficulty concentrating, communicating, or making a decision. Any of these make reporting incidents of abuse, or any other problem, especially difficult.

The oldest and youngest are especially vulnerable. About 5 percent of children ages 5 to 17 have disabilities, as well as 37 percent of Americans 65 and older. Disabilities also make one more vulnerable to poverty; 21 percent of the disabled over 16 are below the poverty level, twice the percentage of the non-disabled population.

Consider abuse statistics from various national studies and government sources:

* 15.2 percent of children who are sexually abused have disabilities. Males with disabilities are twice as likely to be sexually abused, and 83 percent of women with a disability will be sexually assaulted in their lifetimes.

* Only 3 percent of assaults against people with developmental disabilities are ever reported.

* One in five females and one in six male psychiatric inpatients reported abuse involving genital contact; 45 percent of female psychiatric outpatients reported being abused during childhood. This leads to higher incidence of depressive and psychotic symptoms, and victimization in adulthood.

* Lifetime risk for violent victimization was so high for homeless women with severe mental illness (97 percent) as to amount to normative experience for this population.

* One third of abusers are acquaintances of the disabled victim, one third are family members, and 25 percent are caregivers or service providers. Up to 98 percent of sexual abusers are males known to the victim.

What can the rest of us do? Look for signs. Of course bruises and other outward signs should be investigated, but many scars aren't visible. Look for changes in behavior, withdrawal, agitation, or apathy. Perhaps the disabled person seems afraid or reluctant to spend time with a person who may be abusing them. Even changes in appetite could signal a problem.

I was disappointed to learn that by comparison to some nations such as the UK and Canada, our resources for the disabled at risk are fewer and harder to find. Nevertheless, help is available. Immediate physical dangers should be reported to police/911. The Area Agency on Aging (208) 667-3179 (IdahoAging.com) helps any disabled adult in need of protection; the North Idaho Violence Prevention Center (208) 664-9303 is for domestic violence/sexual assault victims; and for child protection, IDHW's Child Protection Services (208) 769-1543 (Healthandwelfare.Idaho.gov).

The statewide nonprofit Disability Rights Idaho advocates for abuse victims of any age and has offices in Moscow, Pocatello, and Boise. See DisabilityRightsIdaho.org or (800) 632-5125.

If you can't remember any of that just remember the state's Care Line, 2-1-1.

We have come too far and learned too much to be this far behind in such basic human rights. Time to catch up.

Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network. Contact her at [email protected].