Sexual Victimization: Strategies for Teachers Who Teach Children and Adolescents with Intellectual Disabilities

Bobbi Shinske

As a teacher in Prince Albert and a graduate student at the University of Saskatchewan, Shinske became concerned with the extent of sexual abuse of children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities. She found the statistics quoted in the literature to be "horrendous." It is estimated that children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities are 3-5 times more likely to be abused than youth without disabilities. By 18 years of age, 80% of females and 60% of males have been sexually abused. For most children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities, their first sexual experience is likely to be abusive.

Having researched the subject thoroughly as part of her graduate studies, Shinske wanted to go further and make the information available to teachers in Saskatchewan. While realizing that there are no quick solutions or easy answers for solving this problem, she recognized "there is a lot teachers can do to temper the harsh reality of sexual abuse that exists for our youth. In order for children to rebuild their self-esteem and absolve their misguided guilt, they need genuine knowledgeable support from a caring adult." On the basis of her research and with the help of a reference group, she put together a handbook for teachers that gives both information and strategies to use in their classrooms when they are confronted with problems or concerns of this nature.

The handbook:

• describes signs that may indicate sexual abuse is taking place,
• outlines steps teachers can take to help their students prevent sexual assault,
• gives nurturing strategies that help to support students after abuse,
• talks about handling disclosures from students, and
• considers the characteristics of a sex education teacher.

The handbook also provides a commentary on resources that are available to teachers through the Saskatchewan Association for Community Living or the University of Saskatchewan. These resources include videos, slides, films, sex education programs, dolls, manuals, in-service materials, books, pamphlets, reports, and journals.

Risk Factors Associated with Sexual Abuse

• long-term dependency
• limited verbal skills
• lack of strength to escape or fight back
• high probability of over-compliance
• limited social activities
• limited refusal skills
• low self-esteem
• non-assertiveness
• need to be valued and accepted
• unrealistic view that everyone is a friend
• susceptibility to coercion
• ignorance of what is happening
• feelings of helplessness alcoholism and depression

Above: Bobbi Shinske talks about her research at the 1996 Learning from Practice seminar.