Maltreatment of Persons With Intellectual Disabilities

[Page 982]Maltreatment, which is neglect, victimization, or failing to protect a vulnerable child or adult, is a major public health problem. Maltreatment can occur in many forms, including physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect. When an individual is a victim of maltreatment, the consequences for that individual can be both short term and long lasting, compromising well-being across all domains of functioning, including physical health as well as psychological and behavioral adaptation. Recent research has discovered that individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) may be at particular risk for maltreatment because of their unique vulnerabilities. This entry describes the state of the research on maltreatment of persons with ID, including their vulnerabilities to maltreatment and consequences of maltreatment. It also offers a discussion of ...