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RESEARCH

&

REPORTS

FACTS & FIGURES

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES

7.38M

Diagnosed with intellectual or developmental disability.

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75%

Adults with IDD live with a parent or caregiver and are not connected to publicly available services and supports. In addition, nearly one million households have a caregiver over the age of 60.

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75%

Funding for services for people with IDD come from nationwide, state and federal Medicaid funding.

 

TAX DOLLARS

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THE

OBSTACLES

Working with Victims of Crime with Disabilities

by Cheryl Guidry Tyiska  |  Director of Victim Services

Isolation

As a result of pervasive isolation, people with disabilities may not learn about available services and resources nor are they routinely informed of rights they have by law.

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Access

In many instances, crime victims with disabilities do not have physical access to services. Attitudes toward the person with a disability is as important or more so than physical accessibility.

Underreporting

A crime may go unreported for many reasons: mobility or communication barriers, the social or physical isolation of the victim, a victim's normal feelings of shame and self-blame, ignorance of the justice system, or the perpetrator is a family member or primary caregiver.

Limited Advocacy

A person who wants to access criminal justice decision making processes is unable to do so without adequate tools to enable full participation.

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PUBLICATIONS

Image by Katie Moum

Justice for Crimes Victims with Disabilities in the Criminal Justice System

An Examination of Barriers & Impetus for Change

"This paper focuses on the problem of crimes perpetrated against per- sons with disabilities and the barriers to justice in the United States in the 21st century. The remedy, ensuring that persons with disabilities are granted equal access to justice within the criminal justice system is grounded in the promise of the Americans with Disabilities Act,4 prohibit- ing discrimination and guaranteeing that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else to participate in the mainstream of life." 

Nancy M. Fitzsimons  |  PHD, MSW, LISW

Image by Joshua Hoehne

Transparency and Accountability in California’s Regional Center System

Stanford Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Law and Public Policy Project (SIDDLAPP)

"This report examines transparency and accountability in California’s regional center system, which provides services and supports to individuals with substantial intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). " 

Image by Will Francis

Abused & Betrayed

National Public Radio

"People with intellectual disabilities are sexually assaulted at seven times the rate of people without disabilities. It's a crime that often goes unrecognized and unpunished."

Image by Kristina Tripkovic

Confronting the Sexual Abuse of Women with Disabilities

National Online Violence Against Women

The immense and important research on the sexual abuse of women often ignores disability, and disability research rarely considers the sexual abuse of women with disabilities. Similarly, service provid- ers and various advocates often fail to connect these crucial issues

Image by DANNY G

Abuse & Neglect of Adults with Developmental Disabilities

A Public Health Priority for the State of California

"This report describes the nature and extent of abuse and neglect perpetrated against people with developmental disabilities and identifies systemic issues that underlie the increased risk for victimization of this population. Three major findings are presented and discussed."

Crimes Against Persons with Disabilities 2009-2019 Statistical Tables 

U.S. Department of Justice

Office of Justice Programs

Bureau of Justice Statistics

"In 2019, the rate of violent victimization against persons with disabilities was nearly four times the rate for persons without disabilities (49.2 compared to 12.4 per 1,000
age 12 or older) (figure 1)..."

Information on Children with IDD and Trauma

The National Child

Traumatic Stress Network

"OUR MISSION is to raise the standard of care and improve access to services for traumatized children, their families and communities throughout the United States."

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