The Arc of Maryland has developed a violence prevention program for their clients called The Personal Space Program.
There is certainly a need for such a program. To quote from the ARC document:
"According to research, most people with disabilities will experience some form of sexual
assault or abuse during their lifetime (Sobsey and Varnhagen, 1989). Victims who have
some level of intellectual impairment are at the highest risk of sexual violence (Sobsey and
Doe, 1991). Persons with developmental disabilities have a 4 to 10 times higher risk of
becoming crime victims than persons without developmental disabilities. One study of
alleged crimes against people with disabilities revealed that 90% involved sexual offenses
(Carmody, 1991). Both males and females with developmental disabilities are victims of
sexual violence, however women experience sexual violence at a higher rate than their male
counterparts. Sobsey cites 78.9% females compared to 21.1% of males in research from the
University of Alberta (Sobsey, 1994). Consistent with this, a number of other studies on
rates of sexual assault against women with developmental disabilities reveal that over 80%
had been sexually assaulted (Hard, 1986). Of those who reported being sexually assaulted,
50% had been assaulted 10 or more times (Valenti-Hein and Schwartz, 1995). Sobsey and
Doe indicate that in 56% to 62% of cases involving sexual assault or abuse of children and
adults with developmental disabilities, penetration occurs (Sobsey, 1994)."
The goals of the program are:
Orientation:
· To give participants information about the course
· To help participants get to know each other
· To help participants embrace the idea of difference, and concept of choice
Sexuality:
· To know their body parts
· To know what parts of the body are private and which are public
· To be able to define sexuality
Healthy Relationships:
· Be able to describe a healthy relationship
· Describe the different types of relationships you have
· Describe the appropriate kinds of touches for each relationship
Sexual Harassment:
· Know what sexual harassment is
· Understand that sexual harassment is against their civil rights
· Increase their assertiveness skills
· Know the steps to take when sexually harassed
Sexual Assault:
· Know what sexual assault is
· Understand that sexual assault is against the law
· Know ways to prevent being sexually assaulted
· Know what steps to take if they are sexually assaulted
Domestic Violence:
· Know what domestic violence is
· Understand that domestic violence is against the law
· Know ways to prevent domestic violence
· Know what steps to take if they experience domestic violence
When Someone Who Is Supporting You Hurts You
· Define sexual abuse by direct care staff and others who provide support in daily living
· Distinguish appropriate behavior from abusive behavior
· Understand that violence by direct care staff and others who provide support in daily living is
against the law
· Know what steps to take if they are a victim of violence by direct care staff and others who provide
support in daily living
Safety Planning:
· Know what a safety plan is
· Know preventive safety strategies
· Know ways to react in dangerous situations
· Complete a safety card
Anyone can access the Lesson plan and teaching materials to address the issue of personal safety by accessing this document. Copy and paste this URL:
http://www.thearcmd.org/files/Final.PDF
