Increased
Susceptibility to Abuse
Adolescents with Down syndrome
are exploited at a much higher rate than their typically-developing peers. Terri
Couwenhoven, a sexuality educator who is also the mother of a girl with Down syndrome,
cites several reasons for this increased risk:
- They are more likely
to be dependent on others for meeting their basic needs because of their disability
- They may have learned
to be compliant or passive, especially with authority figures (consider the
number of physicians, educators, and therapists they’ve met in their
lifetimes)
- They may not have the
social skills needed to control the situation
- They often have trouble
with reasoning and judgment
- They are exposed to larger
numbers of caregivers than other teens
INSTANT
FEEDBACK:
Teens
with Down syndrome are at increased risk for physical or sexual abuse because
of their disabilities and life experiences.
Couwenhoven speaks unequivocally
about preventing sexual abuse in teens with developmental disabilities: "My
philosophy and response to parental fears about exploitation never waivers: the
best way to help your child avoid exploitation is to give them the tools they
need to be empowered and educated." (Couwenhoven, 2001, #2)
Teaching strategies recommended
for providing these tools include:
- Learning and practicing
assertiveness skills
- Identifying boundaries
and appropriate behavior
- Learning sexual language
for body parts
- Discriminating between
healthy and unhealthy relationships
- Identifying common tactics
used by abusers
- Discussing laws and societal
rules regarding inappropriate touching
- Developing basic safety
skills: saying "no, get away", and buddy systems
- Learning and practicing
reporting skills
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