Understanding the Risk of Sexual Abuse for Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities from an Ecological Framework.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Understanding the Risk of Sexual Abuse for Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities from an Ecological Framework.
Authors: Curtiss, Sarah L.1 curti152@msu.edu, Kammes, Rebecca2
Source: Journal of Policy & Practice in Intellectual Disabilities. Mar2020, Vol. 17 Issue 1, p13-20. 8p.
Subject Terms: *Developmental disabilities, *Adults, Sex crime prevention, Sex crimes -- Risk factors, Conceptual structures, People with intellectual disabilities, Psychology of people with intellectual disabilities, Risk assessment
Abstract: Current research on sexual violence perpetrated against individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) focuses on rates of victimization and individual risk factors. This research suggests that individuals with IDD are at a greater risk for sexual violence compared with the general public. At this time, there is no comprehensive theoretical framework to explain sexual abuse risk factors for individuals with IDD. This article describes such a framework by examining how an ecological perspective can be used to understand why individuals with IDD are at increased risk as well as provide a roadmap for how to prevent sexual abuse. An ecological framework, first introduced by Bronfenbrenner in 1979, examines individuals at multiple contextual levels. Current research on sexual violence and adults with IDD is reviewed through an ecological lens. We argue that an ecological approach is necessary for examining the nature of sexual violence and IDD, understanding why individuals with IDD are at a greater risk for sexual violence, and providing insight into how to prevent sexual violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Journal of Policy & Practice in Intellectual Disabilities is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Education Research Complete
Full text is not displayed to guests.
Description
Abstract:Current research on sexual violence perpetrated against individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) focuses on rates of victimization and individual risk factors. This research suggests that individuals with IDD are at a greater risk for sexual violence compared with the general public. At this time, there is no comprehensive theoretical framework to explain sexual abuse risk factors for individuals with IDD. This article describes such a framework by examining how an ecological perspective can be used to understand why individuals with IDD are at increased risk as well as provide a roadmap for how to prevent sexual abuse. An ecological framework, first introduced by Bronfenbrenner in 1979, examines individuals at multiple contextual levels. Current research on sexual violence and adults with IDD is reviewed through an ecological lens. We argue that an ecological approach is necessary for examining the nature of sexual violence and IDD, understanding why individuals with IDD are at a greater risk for sexual violence, and providing insight into how to prevent sexual violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:17411122
DOI:10.1111/jppi.12318