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This
is the first national survey of its kind -- one that focuses on
incidents of, response to, and attitudes about, abuse or crime
victimization of children and adults with disabilities.
The
purpose of the survey is to seek input from the public, especially from
persons with disabilities or those who interact with them, such as
family members, caregivers, service providers, and advocates. Our
intention is not to create a scientific research project, but rather a
robust survey, the results of which may be used for research, education,
and advocacy.
We
also invite those who investigate or respond to complaints of abuse to
take the survey, such as social workers, administrative agencies, law
enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges, SANEs and victim assistance
program personnel.
The
survey, which takes just a few minutes to complete, gathers information
about actual incidents of abuse as well as attitudes regarding the
adequacy and effectiveness, or not, of official responses to such
victimization.
The
results will be shared with those who shape public policy and fund
abuse-response programs (legislators), those who investigate and
prosecute complaints of abuse (law enforcement), those who promote more
effective protection and response systems (nonprofit advocacy groups),
and most importantly, people with disabilities and their families.
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