Sexual Abuse Prevention for People with Severe Developmental Disabilities

The present manuscript reviews research examining sexual abuse of people with developmental disabilities. Although the relevant studies are few in number and their methodology is not especially strong, their findings suggest that prevalence of sexual abuse is higher for people with developmental disabilities than for people with no disabilities and is highest in people with severe disabilities. Strategies for preventing sexual abuse and detecting its occurrence are considered and possibilities for future research are suggested, particularly in the area of training staff and other caregivers.