How do people with intellectual disabilities view abuse and abusers?

People with intellectual disabilities have a higher risk of being abused than other people, but to date research has not explored their views regarding abuse. This article reports the findings relating to one question within a participatory research study concerning the abuse of people with intellec...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of intellectual disabilities 2013-12, Vol.17 (4), p.361-375
Main Authors: Northway, Ruth, Melsome, Melissa, Flood, Samantha, Bennett, Davey, Howarth, Joyce, Thomas, Becki
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
Advocacy
Aged
Antisocial Behavior
At Risk Persons
Biological and medical sciences
Counseling Services
Disabled Persons - psychology
Disclosure
Emotional Response
Ethics
Female
Focus Groups
Foreign Countries
Humans
Intellectual deficiency
Intellectual Disability
Intellectual Disability - psychology
Interview, Psychological
Interviews
Justice
Law Enforcement
Male
Medical sciences
Mental Health
Middle Aged
Participatory Research
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Sexual Abuse
Universities
Violence
Violence - psychology
Wales
Well Being
Young Adult
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Summary:People with intellectual disabilities have a higher risk of being abused than other people, but to date research has not explored their views regarding abuse. This article reports the findings relating to one question within a participatory research study concerning the abuse of people with intellectual disabilities. This question asked what people with intellectual disabilities’ views are concerning abuse. Data were gathered via individual interviews (n = 14) and focus groups (7 groups involving 47 people in total), which were then analysed via a process of sorting statements into themes followed by group discussion and analysis of these themes. Participants expressed a range of views regarding abuse, some of which revealed strong emotions: a number of participants indicated that abuse could make people feel as though their lives are not worth living. People with intellectual disabilities can discuss their feelings around abuse and recognise the impact this has on their lives. There is, however, a need for improved responses to disclosures of abuse and the provision of ongoing support to address psychological issues.
ISSN:1744-6295
1744-6309
DOI:10.1177/1744629513509565