Personal experience and perception of abuse in people with intellectual disabilities

Abstract

This article presents a qualitative study designed to gain insight into personal experience and perception of abuse in people with intellectual disabilities. Ten members of the organization for people with intellectual disabilities in Zadar, Croatia, who have a diagnosis of light or moderate intellectual disability, were included in the research. Analysis of responses showed that most participants had experienced psychological, physical and financial abuse. The most frequent perpetrators of abuse were identified by participants as friends, acquaintances and volunteer carers. Typical sites for the experience of abuse were school, social clubs/support institutions, the street and the urban environment. Most participants seek assistance and support in cases of abuse through discussion with their loved ones, mostly their parents and friends. In addition to such informal relationships, some participants mentioned the importance of formal forms of support.