Citation

Verdugo MA, Bermejo BG. Aggress. Violent Behav. 1997; 2(2): 143-165.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Throughout history, disabled people have been a special vulnerable group to maltreatment practices. However, this special vulnerability is not shown in the quantity of investigations carried out on the matter. This article includes a review of the main conclusions drawn from the few publications carried out on this topic in recent years, with the purpose of providing a current perspective and one of integration on the most controversial aspects. The question of whether mental retardation is the cause or the consequence of maltreatment, the vulnerability factors related to disability, and the main risk situations are considered. Reflections coming from different studies in more specific aspects, such as the relationship between sexual abuse and mental retardation, are presented here; also, some current prevention and treatment strategies are proposed.