Crimes Against Persons With Disabilities

The Ventura County District Attorney's Office is committed to protecting all members of our community regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or disability. We recognize that many persons with disabilities work and contribute to the community with little or no assistance. Other persons with disabilities require assistance ranging from minimal to extensive, depending on the type and level of disability.

Our Crime Victims Assistance Program has a Senior Victim Advocate who specializes in assisting crimevictims with disabilities. We have equipment to assist persons with various disabilities, and provide resources and referrals to law enforcement agencies working with victims with disabilities.

A disability is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities including walking, seeing, hearing, learning and breathing. Mental illness also qualifies under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), however, there is a distinct difference between mental illness, and other types of disabilities such as developmental. A person can have one or multiple disabilities.

Persons with disabilities are at a higher risk of being abused or assaulted than persons without disabilities. Research indicates that 83% of women and 32 % of men with developmental disabilities are sexually abused. Other studies estimate that between 50 to 99% of persons who commit crimes against persons with disabilities are known to the victim (i.e., care-giver, guardian, or family member). Depending on the type and level of disability, the following factors can contribute to the abuse and violence of people with disabilities:

Communication - Some people with disabilities have limited vocabulary or communication skills that may prevent them from disclosing, or reporting the abuse to caregivers or law enforcement. Resources such as sign language interpreters, communication boards or electronic devices may not be available at initial reporting. As a result, valuable information is delayed or unreported.

Restricted Mobility - Persons with disabilities may have restricted mobility that delays the response to defend themselves or escape violent situations.

Limited Accessibility - Some communities lack appropriate services, such as an accessible domestic violence shelter or rape crisis center, that support individuals with disabilities to live free from abuse and violence. A lack of accessible transportation or accessible housing can prevent a person with a disability from leaving an abusive situation.