Transcript Sexuality, Vulnerability and young ID people: commenting

Sexuality, Vulnerability and young ID people
in New Zealand: abuse, a hidden issue
Dr Carol Hamilton
Department of Human Development and Counseling
Faculty of Education
University of Waikato
Sterilisation and Young ID People
“menstrual management”
The lives of disabled people
should be no different to their
non-disabled counterparts
Social History of Learning Disability Conference 2013
Winterbourne View
2007-2011
We know that there is a problem when we
ask people “How are you?” … and we are
very likely to say we are fine, even though
we might be extremely scared because
the person who might be sitting alongside
me is responsible for causing pain or
whatever…. Flynn 2013
Q’s: NZ Literature Search for Survey
What is the national prevalence rate of abuse of children (<18
yrs) with intellectual disabilities in New Zealand?
Do rates vary: by disability type and severity, gender, ethnicity,
socio-economic status?
Who are the perpetrators?
What percentage of incidents are reported?
What percent of victims reach out for help - what percentage
receive it?
The ‘Crisis’ = no verifiable data
Incidence of ID in New Zealand
Distribution of people with ID by DHB
Ministry of Health 2012, p. 15
Example
Case 11HDC00877
21/06/2013
Ms B dragged Master A (age 15) backwards, used the rumpus room for time out,
had Master A up against the wall with both hands around his throat ... Ms B gave
Master A his medications early ... so that Master A would not ‘act out’. Mr C had
advised that he had seen [Master A] be restrained, blocked with more aggression
than required.
“[Master A] kicking full force, fell over. Person crouched over the person - moment
of retaliation stance, body language - no violence or follow through.[Master A] not
injured - [Ms B] did that. [Master A] trying to bite him/head butt. Foot swiped him
- didn’t drop. Held onto upper body... turned and charged [Ms B]”
At the meeting Mr C described Ms B as “not malicious” but “aggressive” ...
referred to incidents where Ms B was “forcing meds in yoghurt down...
swearing “you fucking bastard” ... Ms B has “40 minute” showers..[Master A]
then wants toilet - on the floor. [Ms B] gets cross with him. Mr C raised
concerns about Ms B’s suitability as a team leader ... (HDC 2013, p. 7-8)
International Data
• Disabled(non-cognitively) children: 1.68 - 2.9% more likely to experience abuse
and neglect than non-disabled peers
• Children with ID/Mental Health issues: 4.6% (4-10 times more likely) to
experience all forms of abuse than non-disabled peers
“It Doesn’t Happed to Disabled Children”
Personal Stories
She couldn’t tell us she had been hit but I couldn’t see what else could have
caused the bruises. But nothing happened... as far as I know whoever did it
still works there.
Mother of a 13-year-old girl with learning disabilities
I worry that we accept levels of neglect and really poor quality of care
that we wouldn’t if it was an able-bodied child.
Social worker
NSPCC 2003
Sullivan (2003) has reported that those with ID and behavior disorders face greater risk of
physical abuse, whereas those with ID and speech/language disorders are at risk of
neglect.
Reports detail Cultures of Compliance
& Practices of Disbelief
Ableism - a (binary) value system that deems people without
disabilities as capable, rational, intelligent and autonomous and
stereotypes people with disabilities as irrational, dependent and
unintelligent.
All children are trained in compliance to authority, however
compliance is stressed to a greater degree for children with all forms
of disabilities.
e.g. disabled children are denied the right to say no to everyday
choices - what they will wear or eat - leaving them unequipped to say
no when someone is trying to hurt them.
Children with ID are infantalised – their voices discounted, can be on
high levels of medication = completely unequipped
The Impact of Diagnostic Overshadowing
“... the eldest of three girls with learning disabilities (ID) disclosed
sexual abuse after she left home, by telling her hostel worker.
The worker did not refer it to social services as it was considered
that the two younger ones would not be able to disclose or make
credible witnesses as their learning disability was more severe.
When the second girl left home at 16 years and also disclosed sexual
abuse an investigation was triggered. … the parents refused access
for the 14-year-old to be interviewed, the police did not pursue the
matter and social services did not initiate civil proceedings.
It was considered that the two sisters’ statements alone were not
credible”
“It doesn’t happen to disabled children“ NSPCC. 2003. p.32
Inadequacy of Prevention
Initiatives
Prevent abuse strategies primarily focus on changing the behavior – children
identify and leave situations where they may be at risk. The risks unique to
children with (intellectual) disabilities are rarely included.
Children may have a personal care attendant who provides services - bathing
and dressing - yet they are not taught to identify ‘bad touching’ in this
context.
Education, when offered, does not always match social realities or learning
needs. Primary prevention efforts addressing societal norms, attitudes, and
practices have yet to be developed.
“It doesn’t happen to disabled children“ NSPCC. 2003. p.45
What is needed in New Zealand
Research Initiatives - similar to “it doesn’t happen to disabled children”
Forums - bring together disabled people, family members and professionals
from criminal justice, disability, health & medicine, education and victim
services
Merging of collective knowledge, skills, and experience to form a movement
designed to address the abuse of all children with disabilities.
Creation of a cohesive nationwide strategy
1 Meta Analysis of International
Studies
New Zealand is struggling to meet the
needs of children with disabilities in
foster care.
Resourcing and educating social workers
involved in care and protection needs to
be a priority
The Ministry of Social Development
(2011) statistical report on reports of
child abuse and maltreatment did not
distinguish between children with or
without disabilities. …children with
disabilities can remain invisible, even
when they are placed on the child
protection registers.
The MSD needs to begin documenting
and recording statistics on reports of
abuse and maltreatment against children
with disabilities.
Review of C.Y.F. Complaints System
(2012)
In a final example, a child who
has mental health issues raises a
complaint. And another, and
another. Suddenly there are 18
complaints in the system for this
child. Each, again, dutifully
investigated. Someone does not
step back and say – there is a
profound issue here and it is not
complaints (CYF Review,p. 34)
Ministry of Social Development
Family Violence (2007)
Issues Covered
Childhood sexual abuse
Injury mortality and homicide
Suicide
Childhood neglect
Ethnicity: Maori, Pacifica Peoples,
other ethnic groups
No (intellectual) disability section
The Maskill Report (2011)
I mention – causes of ID
Other causes, including brain
injuries; encephalitis; meningitis;
stroke; malnutrition; child abuse
or neglect; environmental,
sensory or social deprivation;
poisoning (eg, from lead, mercury
or copper); seizure disorders;
demyelinating disorders;
degenerative disorders; and brain
tumours. (p. 4)
New Zealand Media
New Zealand Disability Strategy
Objective 10
Collect and use relevant information about
disabled people and disability issues - improve
the quality of relevant disability information
collected, analysed and used, including regular
national surveys of activity limitation
(NZDS, 2001, p, 10)
Roguski. M. (2013). The Hidden Abuse of Disabled People
Residing in the Community: An Exploratory Study. Tarawhiti
Community Voice, Kaitiaki Research and Evaluation
Child Welfare Information Gateway.(2012) The Risk and Prevention of Maltreatment of
Children with Disabilities. Access at: https://www.childwelfare.gov/
Davis, L.A. (2011). Abuse of Children with Intellectual Disabilities. The Arc. Access at
http://www.thearc.org/
Flynn, M & Citarella, V.2013. South Gloucestershire Safeguarding Adults Board – Winterbourne
View Hospital. CEDA Ltd. Access at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winterbourne_View_hospital_abuse
Health and Disability Commissioner.(2013). Disability Services Team Leader. Ms B
Ministry of Health. 2011. Health Indicators for New Zealanders with Intellectual Disability.
Wellington: Ministry of Health.
Nelson/Malborough District Health Board. Case 11HDC00877. Access at
http://www.hdc.org.nz/
NSPCC (2003). “It doesn’t happen to disabled children” Child Protection and Disabled Children
Report of the National Working Group on Child Protection and Disability. Weston House, 42
Curtain Road, London EC2A 3NH.
Roguski. M. (2013). The Hidden Abuse of Disabled People Residing in the Community: An
Exploratory Study. Tarawhiti Community Voice, Kaitiaki Research and Evaluation
Sanford, J, 2013. 25 May, Saturday Kiwis must stamp out abuse. Accessed at
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/auckland/news/nbhea/
2087573525-kiwis-must-stamp-out-abuse-of-disabled
Smith, N & Harrell, S.(2013). Sexual Abuse of Children with Disabilities: A National Snapshot.
Child Law Practice. 32(7), 105-108.