engleski

Personal experience and perception of abuse in people with intellectual disabilities

This paper presents a qualitative study designed to gain insight into personal experience and perception of abuse in people with intellectual disabilities. Ten members of the association "Svjetlo (Engl. Light)" who have a diagnosis of light or moderate intellectual disability were included in the research. The methodology of data collection involved semi-structured interviews, which were analysed according to the standard practice of qualitative 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 loved ones, mostly their parents and friends. In addition to such informal relationships, some participants mentioned the importance of formal forms of support.

(domestic) abuse ; people with intellectual disabilities ; experience of abuse ; assistance and support in cases of abuse ; abuse prevention

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