DRO releases second in three-part report on Sexual Abuse of Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

April 22, 2015 / sexual abuse

Today Disability Rights Ohio is releasing the second of a three-part report on Sexual Abuse of Individuals with Developmental Disabilities. Brief Two focuses on support services for individuals with developmental disabilities who experience sexual abuse and provides recommendations for ways to improve those services in Ohio. Brief One is available here. The third brief — to be released Friday this week — discusses the gaps in the statewide criminal justice system that prevent full enforcement and prosecution against abusers.

Disability Rights Ohio began to research the problem of sexual abuse of individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities after receiving many complaints from self-advocates and their families. DRO's research uncovered patterns in the statewide developmental disabilities system that lead to unnecessary vulnerabilities and barriers to justice for individuals with developmental disabilities who experience sexual abuse. The reports have been produced with support from The Disability Abuse Project, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, the Fairfield County Board of Developmental Disabilities, The Arc of Ohio, People First of Ohio, The Ohio State University Nisonger Center and The University of Cincinnati Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UC UCEDD).

These briefs are being released in coordination with National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, a nationwide effort to help communities and victim assistance providers promote awareness of crime victim issues.