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Adapted Therapy Treatment for Sexually Abused Persons with Developmental Disabilities
by Chingpin Wu
Research has revealed that people with developmental disabilities are two to three times more likely to be sexually abused compared to the general population.
The functioned impairment due to developmental disability, attitudes toward people with disabilities by the society, and the shortcomings of current service delivery systems make people with developmental disabilities more vulnerable to sexual abuse.
As identifying the perpetrators of sexual abuse, over 90% of people with developmental disabilities were abused by acquaintances.
People with developmental disabilities are dependent on caregivers for basic needs, are disempowered politically and socially, and usually not educated about sexuality and sexual abuse.
These qualities put them at high risk of to be sexually abused. An ecological model (Carlson, 1997) may explain the vulnerability of people with developmental disabilities to sexual abuse.
Adapted therapy, which takes into account the person's age, gender, functional abilities, level of independence, and personal history, is helpful for treating sexually abused people with developmental disabilities.
Education and training is the common strategy to prevent people with developmental disabilities from being sexually abused.
E-Mail: chingpin11@hotmail.com
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