Voices Ignored: Sexual Assault of People with Developmental Disabilities

The Office for Victims of Crime provided funding for The Center to develop a training package for law enforcement officers and victim advocates who work with people with developmental disabilities who have been sexually assaulted.

This particular crime is frequent but grossly underreported. We have conducted extensive research in the field and have interviewed criminal justice and medical personnel as well as victim advocates to create a useful curriculum.

The Center has produced a video called Voices Ignored: Sexual Assault of People with Developmental Disabilities and an accompanying discussion guide. These materials can stand alone or be used as part of the four-hour training curriculum that Center staff members have developed.

We have also created a CD-ROM tutorial for those who may be unable to attend formal training sessions. We are distributing the final products to law enforcement agencies, criminal justice academies, and victim assistance training programs across the nation.

Curriculum Materials Currently Available for Download:
Facilitators Manual
Discussion Guide

For more information about this project, contact Donna Privette at 803-777-0385 or donnap@sc.edu. You may order a copy of this training package by downloading the order form and mailing it to:

The Center for Child and Family Studies
College of Social Work, USC
Columbia, SC 29208