Sexual Assault of Women and Adolescent Girls with Mental Disabilities

Authors

Janine Benedet, Allard School of Law at the University of British ColumbiaFollow
Isabel Grant, Allard School of Law at the University of British ColumbiaFollow

Faculty Author Type

Current Faculty [Janine Benedet], Current Faculty [Isabel Grant]

Document Type

Commissioned Report or Study

Publication Date

6-20-2023

Subjects

Sexual Assault, Women, Adolescent Girls, Mental Disability

Abstract

This Report considers the research that addresses the sexual assault of women (age 18+) and adolescent girls (12-17) with mental disabilities (disabilities that affect cognition and decision-making, including intellectual disabilities present from birth, dementia, brain injury and certain psychiatric conditions.) These victims are targeted for sexual violence at rates even higher than for women generally. Yet when these women report abuse to authorities, the criminal trial process struggles to provide them with justice, while the consequences of disclosure can be severe and participation in the criminal justice process particularly traumatizing for them.

Citation Details

Janine Benedet & Isabel Grant, "Sexual Assault of Women and Adolescent Girls with Mental Disabilities" (2023).