The Hidden Crisis: Abuse Against People With Disabilities

We work extensively with the disabled members of our society. This means that on an everyday basis, we work tirelessly to ensure their future security. Anyone with a disability is part of our mission, and we want the best for them. That’s why when we see stories like this one, we cringe a little. No one, regardless of their status, should be abused because they’re no longer considered able. Worse, no one should be targeted for that abuse because of his or her status, either.

A Summary of the Story

The story above is a terrifying and saddening story of people abusing others and taking joy in it. In the video itself, posted to YouTube for the world to see, a man is abused by caregivers in a home while the others in the room are laughing, asking for copies of the film, and then eventually joining in on the “fun.” This poor man didn’t deserve that, and we think it’s terrible that this happened.

What can We Do About Abuse of the Disabled?

Abuse of the disabled seems to be a big problem. We’ve heard of quite a few instances of disabled people being harmed, and that’s unsettling to us. What’s even more unsettling is that we can’t seem to find any statistics on the topic, and that there’s no official collector of this information. So, we don’t even really know the full extent of abuse of the disabled. That’s a shame.

But what we can address is that there seems to be enough of a problem that the government has stepped in multiple times to address it. Florida law treats assaults against disabled people as a first-class felony. They can carry up to a 30-year sentence and a maximum fine of $10,000. That’s a good start, in our opinion. But, this is about what we can do, not what others can do. Here are some basics:

• Keep an eye out
  • Look around for signs of abuse in any situation. If you know someone in a home or are just out in public, being vigilant can go a long way to making sure others are well taken care of. That’s the good part of the situation: you can make a difference just by putting your eyes and ears out there. If you see it, call it in—you could help save a life.
• Get involved
  • While it may not seem obvious, getting involved is a good idea because your involvement means that you’re not just taking it in, you’re actively opposing the violence. That’s a great start! Don’t be like the people in the videos, watching and laughing along.
  • Along those same lines, don’t let others persuade you to participate in such a disgusting activity.It’s never a good excuse to harm another human being. Frustration isn’t criminal, but lashing out is.
• Strengthen ties
  • Make sure that you’re treating people with disabilities like humans—because they are human. A lot of people forget this fact, often because they’re not aware that they’re doing it (or deny that they’re doing it). Engage others positively and reinforce good behavior—you will be thanked for it.

Key Takeaway

Abuse of the disabled isn’t a laughing matter; it is a tragic and evil act. But what you must remember is that disability isn’t a stigma or a way to separate us into different creatures. It’s a normal part of the human condition. And our compassion must go deeper than just the surface level. If you’re disabled, get the help you need, both in terms of financial security and in emotional strength. If you’re a friend or family member of a disabled person, then work with them to strengthen your bonds. You might just find something amazing about others—and about yourself!