Why are people with developmental disabilities at a higher risk for abuse than the general population?

Why are people with developmental disabilities at a higher risk for abuse than the general population?

• A. They have fewer social supports.
• B. They are often safeguarded with strict supervision.
• C. They often experience multiple forms of abuse over long periods, may have concerns overruled, and disabilities used to minimize the abuse.
• D. They are less likely to trust anyone.

Answer: (C)

People with developmental disabilities are at higher risk because abuse often happens over a long period, can take multiple forms (physical, emotional, neglect, financial, etc.), and the person’s concerns may be dismissed or minimized because of the disability. Their dependence on caregivers for daily needs creates a power imbalance that abusers exploit, and communication challenges can make it harder to report or prove what happened. This combination of long-term exposure, multiple abuses, and concerns being overruled best explains the increased risk.

People with developmental disabilities are at higher risk because abuse often happens over a long period, can take multiple forms (physical, emotional, neglect, financial, etc.), and the person’s concerns may be dismissed or minimized because of the disability. Their dependence on caregivers for daily needs creates a power imbalance that abusers exploit, and communication challenges can make it harder to report or prove what happened. This combination of long-term exposure, multiple abuses, and concerns being overruled best explains the increased risk.