Sexual Abuse in Group Homes

By Haley LaRose

Sexual abuse is a taboo topic. Unfortunately, it is a topic that needs to be discussed more, especially in the realm of disabilities. When adults with IDD enter group homes, they are entering a new environment with different rules and people. Combined with possible communication struggles and an imbalance of power due to medical necessity, this can unfortunately foster abuse in extreme circumstances. It is critical for both individuals with IDD and their friends, family members, and support systems to be aware of the signs of abuse and resources available to help prevent sexual abuse in group homes and as a larger issue.

Sexual Abuse in Individuals with IDD

People with IDD are unfortunately more prone to sexual abuse than the greater population. Children with IDD are four times more likely to be abused than nondisabled children [1]. In fact, it is estimated somewhere between 70 to 90% of individuals with IDD will experience some form of sexual abuse in their lifetime [2, 3]. Of these individuals, almost half will experience 10 or more instances of sexual abuse [3]. This is almost double the national average for women, and five times the national average for men [4]. In addition, 39% of female rape victims had a disability at the time of the assault [5]. Many abusers take advantage of the barriers in communication and access to resources disabled individuals face, leading to these extreme numbers. This can also lead to increased trauma and PTSD for individuals with IDD [5]. 

Further, the daily accessibility barriers individuals with IDD face affect the legal processes of holding abusers accountable. Just 19% of cases of sexual assault against individuals with IDD are reported, compared to 36% of cases of those without IDD [6]. This is often due to the communication barriers faced such as language abilities, transportation and technological access to resources, or even medical dependency on the abuser [5]. These numbers continue to decrease as cases move through the criminal justice system, with prosecution rates for sexual abuse cases of those with IDD at just 5% [3]. Only 3% of cases end with a conviction, leaving many survivors without justice [7]. 

The issue of high rates of sexual assault among those with IDD is often attributed to a few common causes. There is a lack of systems in place that specifically support survivors with IDD, leading to a lack of knowledge on how to support them [5]. While there are helpful organizations and this is an increasingly researched field, many survivors with IDD are left without the same diversity in resources as those without IDD due to accessibility issues. Further, many individuals with IDD do not receive the same sexual education as their peers [5]. This can leave them without the necessary knowledge to express the abuse they are facing, perpetuating the issue. Unfortunately, these causes are often intensified in group homes, thereby increasing rates of sexual abuse.

Abuse in Group Homes

Due to a variety of circumstances, some individuals with IDD may live in a group home environment rather than with friends, family members, or on their own. While group homes are a great option for some individuals, they can unfortunately contribute to the high rates of sexual abuse if not run with care. Unfortunately, the odds of sexual abuse increase when someone moves into a group home. 97-99% of abusers are known, with 32% being family members. However, almost half of abusers are related to disability care [1]. 70% of individuals with IDD in group homes will experience neglect, assault, or other sexual abuse. Of those abused, 50% report physical abuse and 41% report sexual abuse [8]. This increase may be due to a variety of struggles within group homes such as understaffing or a lack of specialized training [8]. Without proper education and regular check-ins, sexual abuse can go unknown for long periods of time. 

Abusers will also often target those they feel are less likely to report [7]. These often include those with higher support needs, who are more likely to move into group homes and more likely face sexual abuse than those with lower support needs [3]. These individuals may have less knowledge or face increased barriers to reporting. Most education on sexual assault given to those with IDD is insufficient for them to report their abuse [7]. Further, if they are in an overcontrolled environment or lack experiential learning opportunities, those with IDD are more likely to experience and avoid reporting their assault [1]. Barriers may also include struggles with communication, dependency, and a fear of losing care if they report their abuser [6]. This allows abusers to manipulate an individual's dependency on them to avoid reporting and allow the abuse to continue. Abusers will also often avoid leaving behind physical evidence, such as bruises, whenever possible to help hide their assault [7].

Unfortunately, due to the extreme likelihood of survivors with IDD knowing their abuser, it can be hard to vet caretakers or learn of abuse if there is a fear of retaliation. However, looking out for signs and connecting survivors to whatever resources available are the most helpful steps in preventing sexual abuse.

Signs of Abuse

When looking out for sexual abuse, there are some signs. These might be physical, psychological, or behavioral. Signs of abuse vary based on the individual and should be taken into account with their normal or typical behavior. This list is not exhaustive, nor should any of the signs be taken as an absolute. Rather, they should act as a guide to keep track of any sudden behavioral changes.

Physical changes may include genital pain and itching, stomach and headaches, weight fluctuation, diarrhea and constipation, or symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases [7]. Additional physical changes may also include unusual discharge, unusual bleeding or menstruation changes, or burning and pain with urination and defecation [7]. If these signs appear or there is a change in physical behavior, it is best to consult a doctor for further insight.

Psychological changes may include new fears, bed-wetting, sleep issues, eloping, isolation from peers, and struggle focusing [7]. They may also include increased emotionality, such as depression, aggression, anxiety, moodiness, and general irritation [7]. These changes should be assessed while taking into account an individual’s usual psychological state or emotionality.

Behavioral changes may include selective mutism and communication changes, eating or sleeping changes, dressing changes, and general skill regression [7]. They may also include increased sexual behaviors, such becoming increasingly modest or promiscuous, increased focus on one’s body, inappropriate sexual behaviors, or asking out-of-the-blue questions about sex and pregnancy [A]. Behavioral changes may also be more extreme, such as destroying property, aggression towards others, refusal to leave home, or suicidal attempts [7]. Physical and psychological changes often overlap with or lead to behavioral changes.

If an individual is showing signs of sexual abuse or reports experiencing assault, there are many resources available to assist with understanding what happened, navigating the criminal justice system, or just providing someone to talk to. Sexual abuse in those with IDD and group homes is still lacking in many specified resources, however it is an ever-growing field many organizations are working to support.

Resources

Luckily, there is a large database of resources for those experiencing sexual abuse in group homes. While there are barriers to fighting for justice, these organizations can help make the process a bit easier. Nationally available hotlines include RAINN, the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline, and Love is Respect [9]. Each of these hotlines is confidential, meaning it is up to the caller to disclose their identity. If they choose to disclose their identity and location and are either under 18 or a vulnerable adult, many support providers are mandated reporters and required to report to the caller’s local law enforcement [10]. However, it is up to the caller if they want to disclose this information or not. Many of these hotlines also offer online chat or text options if an individual is unable to call.

There are further national resources beyond hotlines, such as the National Sexual Violence Resource Center or PreventConnect.org. These can connect survivors to local resources and more general advice, such as knowing their medical and legal rights [11]. These organizations also have resources for friends and family of survivors on how to best support them. There are also disability specific organizations for survivors, such as the Disabled Persons Protection Committee of Massachusetts, the National Adult Protective Services Association, Clove Alliance FIRST Collaboration (which also has a more general hotline), or the R3 App available nationally through Apple and Amazon. These resources are specified to individuals with IDD facing abuse and may have more detailed information depending on the situation. These can also connect survivors to more local resources to help them fight their case.

For organizations looking to support survivors, there are a few actions they can take. The Administration for Community Living encourages health and human services professionals to collaborate with local crisis centers and consider the barriers individuals with IDD may face in their fight for justice [5]. They should also support the development of trauma-informed care for those with disabilities [5]. Family members can take steps to prevent sexual abuse in group homes by teaching their family members the medical terms for their genitalia and having periodic sexual health and safety conversations [7]. They can also institute certain policies for the care of their family members, such as access to monitors, hidden medical alert buttons, random check-ins, vetting caretakers, and regular medical check-ups [7]. Further, by staying attentive to the signs of sexual abuse listed earlier, they can help catch abuse early on [7]. Staying informed and encouraging access to resources is the best way to prevent sexual abuse of those with IDD, particularly in group homes.

Conclusion

The extremely high rates of sexual abuse of those with IDD and in group homes is an unfortunate reality due to the many barriers to reporting survivors face. However, by looking out for signs of abuse and connecting individuals with resources, friends and family can do their part to help prevent this abuse. Regular check-ins and conversations about sexual education can help block manipulation by abusers and let survivors maintain authority over their own body. Education is the first step in preventing sexual abuse and putting a stop to this prevalent issue.

Sources Used

[1] Davis, L. A. (2019, July 24). People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Sexual Violence - The Arc. The Arc. https://thearc.org/resource/people-with-intellectual-and-developmental-disabilities-and-sexual-violence/

[2] Clove Alliance. (2024). Confronting Sexual Violence Against People with Disabilities. Clovealliance.org. https://clovealliance.org/confronting-sexual-violence-against-people-with-disabilities/

[3] Friedlander, K. (2017). Special Publication Councils on Developmental Disabilities Addressing Sexual Violence & Neglect. https://nacdd.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/DD-Councils-Special-Publication.pdf

[4] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, January 23). About Sexual Violence. Sexual Violence Prevention; CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/sexual-violence/about/index.html

[5] Barkoff, A., Hild, J., & Levine, R. (2024). Preventing and Addressing Sexual Violence Against People with I/DD | ACL Administration for Community Living. Acl.gov. https://acl.gov/news-and-events/acl-blog/preventing-and-addressing-sexual-violence-against-people-idd

[6] Coursey, M. (2025, June 24). Get the Facts About Sexual Violence Against People with Disabilities - RAINN. RAINN. https://rainn.org/get-the-facts-about-sexual-violence-against-people-with-disabilities/

[7] Lewis, K., & Barry, E. (2023, June 29). Sexual Abuse and Safety of Persons with Disabilities. Special Needs Alliance. https://www.specialneedsalliance.org/the-voice/sexual-abuse-and-safety-of-persons-with-disabilities/

[8] Mattie, J. (2021). Abuse of Special Needs Children – NALA. Nala.org. https://nala.org/abuse-of-special-needs-children/

[9] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, June 7). Sexual Violence and Intimate Partner Violence Among People with Disabilities. Sexual Violence Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/sexual-violence/about/sexual-violence-and-intimate-partner-violence-among-people-with-disabilities.html

[10] RAINN. (2024). RAINN | The nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. Rainn.org. https://rainn.org/ 

[11] NSVRC. (2019). National sexual violence resource center (NSVRC). National Sexual Violence Resource Center. https://www.nsvrc.org/