A foundation to success in dating and relationships is being safe and feeling empowered in all your interactions. This includes not being taken advantage of physically, emotionally, sexually, or financially. It also includes not being manipulated in any way.  Freedom from abuse doesn’t always happen in dating and relationships. This is the case for people without disabilities and especially true for the disabled.

We have to talk about this…

• According to 2017 U.S Justice Department statistics, people with intellectual disabilities are seven times more likely to be sexually assaulted. 
• As many as 83% of women with developmental disabilities and 32% of men are victims of sexual assault. 
• For most people with developmental disabilities, their first "sexual" (and I use that term loosely) encounter is rape. 
• Only about 3% of perpetrators of people with disabilities serve time. 
• 49% of people with developmental disabilities suffer from chronic sexual abuse.
• National Public Radio Series on the prevalence of sexual assaults to people with intellectual disabilities.
• Search “NPR Abused and Betrayed”

How This Can Be Prevented

• At the core of helping to prevent assault and abuse are these very preventable steps to take:
• Develop and maintain strong personal boundaries help protect from abuse. Listen to your gut!
• Be informed about sex and sexuality. Hungry for information, people who are uninformed might find themselves with dangerous people and in dangerous places.
• Be open to opportunities to learn and grow so that you feel empowered in relationships. 
• IT IS NEVER THE FAULT OF THE PERSON SUFFERING FROM ABUSE AND ASSAULT.

Where Do We Go From Here? 

• It’s so important that we not only keep safety in mind when pursuing dating and relationships, but feel empowered to demand it in our interactions. Don’t demand less of yourself. If something doesn’t feel right, name it, say it out loud, talk about it. Do it not only for yourself, but also collectively for all people with disabilities. Let’s get those high number of assaults and abuse down.
• If you need help with this, grab the download in today’s show notes, Do I Feel Safe?
• One final tip - get a support system for yourself for dating and relationships. Have a few trusted friends you can talk to when you not only have a safety concern, but just about dating and relationships in general. I’ll be doing a podcast on this in the near future.

Resources 

• Free download - Do I Feel Safe checklist. 

Credits
Music by: https://www.purple-planet.com "Successful Motivation"
Artwork photo by Elevate

Check out our Dating Memberships:

Dating Made Easier (for all people wanting to date) - is a monthly membership for anyone (with or without disabilities) who wants support and guidance in dating skills and getting the RESULTS you want in dating and relationships. Click here to learn more.

Supporting Dating and Relationships membership (for special educators and professionals in disability services) - is for professionals in the disability field who are looking for training and resources to effectively help students/people with disabilities in developing dating and relationship skills. Click here to learn more.

Music by Successful Motivation |
Artwork photo by Elevate