Category: Sexual Assault and Prevention

Self-advocate Central Consent Toolkit for Self-advocates & Families

Self-advocate Central has a new toolkit for people with IDD and their families.

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are harmed by
sexual assault more often than others. They are usually harmed by someone
they know. This can include family members, other people with IDD, and
support staff. Consent is a big part of staying safe.

Consent means being in charge of what happens with your body. It is important in romantic relationships. It’s important with friends, family members, and others. People must be in charge of what happens with their own bodies. This keeps them safe and healthy.

To stay safe, we must learn about getting and giving consent. People with IDD must have power over their bodies. People must be able to give or withhold consent. They must be able to say “yes” or “no” in the way they prefer.

You can use this Consent Toolkit in many ways.

• You learn on your own.

• You can learn with your family or others who support you.

• You can learn with other self-advocates.

There are three blocks in the Consent Toolkit. You don’t have to do them all at once. You can do them in three 30-minute blocks.

This toolkit was developed by Strategic Education Solutions (https://www.strategicedsolutions.com) in partnership with UMass Chan Medical School (https://www.umassmed.edu).

Consent Toolkit for Self-advocates & Families: https://selfadvocatecentral.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Consent-Toolkit-Self-Advocates-Families.pdf

Sexual Assault and Prevention Resources for People with Disabilities (PwD)

Sexual abuse can be seen as unwanted sexual activity. It can be touching or showing body parts.  Abuse can be done by using force, bribes, stalking and threats. 

 People with disabilities (PwD) face many challenges and have very different needs. Some disabilities may put people at more risk for crimes like sexual assault or abuse. PwD may not be taken seriously when they make a report of sexual assault or abuse. They may not know how to report abuse. They may be scared to report what happened to them. They may fear what will happen to them after telling someone else. 

People with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) experience sexual assault at up to 7 times higher than people without disabilities. They are less likely to receive services that help stop violence. They get less support healing from pain and trauma. Research shows only 13% of PwD survivors with disabilities receive victim services.

People with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) may not understand or lack information about healthy sexuality. They may not have had sex ed classes. They may not know the kinds of touching that are good or bad (appropriate or inappropriate). This can be very hard. A person’s disability may require other people to touch them to provide care. Someone who has IDD may not be able to agree to sexual activity. Many people with IDD are survivors of sexual abuse. 

INDEX has a new fact sheet on Sexual Assault and Prevention Resources for People with Disabilities.  We have info for people in Massachusetts and national resources. 

Some areas are:

  • Ways to report sexual abuse
  • Rape Crisis Centers info
  • Domestic violence programs
  • Hotlines

Massachusetts Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC) Hotline: 800-426-9009

Seen and Heard: IDD Community

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The Seen and Heard: IDD Community is Partnership Project of Strategic Education Solutions and INDEX program of the Shriver Center at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School.

The Seen and Heard: IDD Community is making videos about sexual assault prevention and recovery. Our videos are made by and for people with IDD who are survivors or just want to learn about staying safe. James Meadours, a self-advocate and our team co-leader, shares his experiences and thoughts. James speaks out for others with IDD who are survivors or just want to learn about staying safe. Sexual assault prevention and recovery are important.

You can watch the videos on Seen and Heard: IDD Community YouTube channel. Please be sure to subscribe and like these videos.