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(USGovernment-News.Com, October 22, 2013 ) Dothan, AL – Recently the Associated Press reported that a five year old developmentally disabled child received a fractured arm when, according to police, a bus aid worker twisted the child’s arm behind his back. Abuse of people with disabilities is nothing new, but according to a study released last September by the Spectrum Institute, the number of abuse incidents may be much greater than many people think.
The study reports that over 70% of the people with disabilities who took the survey reported having been abused. About 50% did not report the abuse to authorities because they felt nothing would happen and 54% of the ones who did report it said that nothing did happen. Less than 10% of the reported cases resulted in an arrest.
Most people reported the abuse they experienced was verbal and/or emotional abuse, while just over 90% stated they had received some sort of physical abuse. Also over 90% stated their abuse happened more than once. People with disabilities are more likely to be abused by a family member or someone in their daily routine as opposed to a stranger.
Some states, like California, operate an Adult Protective Services (APS) program that investigate reports of abuse. California’s 24 hour service can be contacted by calling 877-477-3646. Social Workers initially investigate the report and will turn the case over to law enforcement as needed.
Other states with Adult Protective Services include
Georgia - 866-552-4464, then option “2,” Alabama – 800-458-7214, Mississippi- 800-222-8000, Tennessee- 888-277-8366, Maryland- 800-917-7383 and Washington, D.C.- 202-541-3950.
One of the best ways to stop the abuse of people with disabilities is to make sure the offenders are punished. This can be done through rapid reporting using one of the phone numbers above.
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