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[Edits for the Wikipedia article: Sexual abuse and intellectual disability]\

Research published from 2000 to 2020 illustrates increased prevalence rates of sexual violence against people with intellectual disabilities compared to the general population. :61 The World Health Organization funded a study that found 15% of the adult population worldwide have a disability, putting them at increased risk of physical, sexual, and intimate partner violence. Of that 15%, 6.1% or an estimated 7,008,716,704 adults worldwide have intellectual disability with 5.5% (6,623,237,285 people) experiencing sexual violence. In another report, the WHO found that worldwide, children with intellectual disabilities experience a 4.6 times greater risk of sexual violence than those without disability. In the United States, The Bureau of Justice Statistics reported in the National Crime Victimization Survey the rate of sexual violence for those with an intellectual disability is five times higher than for those without any disability. Both men and women with intellectual disabilities experience sexual violence that includes rape, sexual coercion without physical force, and sexual experiences without physical contact. Perpetrators of sexual violence are not only strangers but can be caregivers, acquaintances, and intimate partners. The perpetrator of the assault often determines if the crime will be reported.

           While people with intellectual disabilities experience sexual violence in many of the same ways as the general population,:73 those with intellectual disability may be more vulnerable to sexual violence because of their dependence on others for economic support, personal care, and support with tasks associated with daily living such as bathing and eating. They often encounter additional issues related to their disability and the environments in which they live. These additional issues can include questions around the ability to consent to sexual activities, differential treatment before the law, and restricted access to proper support and recovery services. Societal attitudes and beliefs about the sexuality of those with intellectual disabilities and the validity or accuracy of their claims of abuse are additional risk factors. Finally, racial and ethnic discrimination and disability discrimination increase the risk of sexual violence.

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Effects of sexual violence for those with intellectual disabilities
People with intellectual disabilities can be harmed by sexual violence the same as those without intellectual disability (ID). The harm is often worse when the violence takes place over a long period of time, the perpetrator is known to the survivor, the individual has experienced multiple traumatic events throughout their lives, and the individual has a lower developmental level. The following effects have been reported, but may not be experienced by all learning disabled survivors of sexual violence:


 * Psychological and emotional damage, such as depression, guilt, self-blame and low self-esteem.
 * Physical injury.
 * Pregnancy.
 * Sexually transmitted disease.
 * Damage (possibly permanent) to relationships of trust with caregivers, friends and family.
 * Disturbed, difficult or otherwise changed behaviour, particularly for those who cannot communicate.
 * Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Those with intellectual disability face the same challenges reporting incidents of sexual assault as those without ID. Survivors of sexual assault experience fear of retaliation or of not being believed. They may lack knowledge of sex and so are unsure of what happened to them. Society continues to perpetuate the notion that the survivor is to blame for the crime perpetrated upon their body. Additionally, individuals with intellectual disabilities can find it difficult to communicate when sexual abuse is occurring or has occured in the past due to impairments with understanding and expressing language. Barriers to effective communication and a lack of validated measures to assess for sexual assault in individuals with ID makes it imperative for medical providers, family members and caregivers to recognize some of the behavioral changes that could indicate sexual abuse is occurring or has occured. The following are behavioral changes that have been seen in some but not all victims of sexual abuse with intellectual disability:


 * Sleep disturbances including nightmares without related traumatic content
 * Decreased school performance
 * Poor concentration
 * Enuresis and encopresis
 * Aggression
 * Social withdraw
 * Suicidal ideation
 * Eating disturbances
 * Self injury
 * Repetitive play in children and those with lower levels of intelligence
 * Acting out the trauma
 * Isolation

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