Understanding the Risk of Sexual Abuse for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities from an Ecological Framework
Date
2020-01-01
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Wiley
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.
Description
Author's submitted version (accepted for publication)
Keywords
Intellectual disability, Sexual abuse, Prevention, Policy, Practice
Citation
Curtiss, S.L. & Kammes, R. (2020). Understanding the risk of sexual violence of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities from an ecological framework. Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 17(1), 13-20. https://doi.org/10.1111/jppi.12318