Know the Signs, Ask, Report, and Take Action

Photo of a person in the dark shadows reaching a hand out for help, symbolic of article topic about reporting abuse and protecting people.

Most of the people employed or associated with the Intellectual Disability/Autism systems are here because they want to help provide care and service to people with disabilities. But we also know that sometimes people get hurt. That may be through abuse, neglect, abandonment, or exploitation.

So, who can abuse, neglect, abandon, or exploit a person with a disability? It can be any person who comes in contact with that person. It can be a peer, a provider employee, a family member, a Job Coach, a priest, the mail carrier, or a neighbor. Anyone who comes into contact with a person with a disability could be a potential abuser/perpetrator. In very few instances it may be a stranger. But we know that those who are known to the person are often the people who victimize them. Would you know if someone is being victimized? Signs of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or abandonment might include the following.

Know the Signs

Photo of the cover of our brochure titled Sexual Assault and Abuse Against People with Intellectual Disabilities. KNOW It's Not Okay where the letters NO are colored red to stand out. The bottom shows a shadowy picture of someone whose hands are folded together as if pleading. — Click the cover for a copy of our brochure.

Bruises or broken bones
Weight loss
Memory loss
Personality changes
Being more withdrawn, sad, or anxious
Social isolation: not wanting to go to places or to see people they previously enjoyed
Giving other people their money or property
Changes in behavior
Deferring questions to others present
Dehydrated or malnourished/underweight
Pressure sores
Lack of medical care

So, what can you do? First know the signs for abuse, neglect, abandonment and/or exploitation. Ask questions. If you believe something is going on, continue to ask questions. If you are suspicious of someone being the abuser, make sure to ask questions of the potential victim while separated from this person. Always listen to and believe the individual as a potential victim of abuse. If you are a mandated reporter (which is any person or organization who receives public funding to provide care for people with intellectual disabilities or autism), reporting is part of your job.

For more information on this subject, download and print a copy of our brochure here: Sexual Assault & Abuse Against People with Intellectual Disabilities.

Included below are agencies that can be contacted when you suspect abuse, neglect, abandonment, or exploitation.

Disability Rights Pennsylvania at: 1-800-692-7443

DRP offers a number of self-advocacy guides relating to a variety of topics

Pennsylvania Health Law Project at: 1-800-274-3258