Individuals with developmental disabilities are sexually assaulted at seven times the rate of people without disabilities. As always, our team at Elevatus Training believes that education is the first line of defense in preventing sexual abuse. With this in mind, we aim to support all your training needs, and that’s why we have created a toolkit filled with educational articles and resources to support you. Together, let’s raise awareness and educate people about this issue!
2024 New to the Toolkit Resources
Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC): Body Knowledge and Body Rights
PEATC has developed a toolkit to help guide parents through this process of discussing Sexual Health and Wellness with their child.
Body Knowledge and Body Rights:
https://peatc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Body-Knowledge-Sexual-Health-and-Wellness.pdf
Consent:
https://peatc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Consent-Sexual-Health-and-Wellness.pdf
Boundaries:
https://peatc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Boundaries-Sexual-Health-and-Wellness.pdf
Get Away and Tell Someone:
https://peatc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Tell-Someone-Sexual-Health-and-Wellness.pdf
Social Media and Online Safety:
https://peatc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Online-Safety.pdf
The Natalie Project
The Natalie Project (#ustoo) is a family-driven sexual assault prevention advocacy organization whose mission is to raise awareness that the rate of sexual assault amongst people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) is at epidemic levels due to a vulnerable system. The Project empowers caregivers with effective planning tools to manage suspected abuse and builds a community of advocates for systemic change.
NCIL Video: Sex Ed for People with I/DD: Consent
This video from the National Council on Independent Living’s video project helps people with I/DD learn about consent.
AMAZE Videos
Sextortion: Online Coercion and Blackmail
This video explains what sextortion is and some of the red flags of when behaviors might be sextortion. It also describes what to do if a person experiences sextortion and how to get help.
https://amaze.org/video/sextortion-online-coercion-and-blackmail/
Sex Trafficking
This video includes a definition of sex trafficking and grooming, as well as examples of how traffickers might lie, manipulate, and threaten victims.
https://amaze.org/video/personal-safety-what-is-sex-trafficking/
Articles & Website Resources
A Prelude to Consent
Believing it’s YOUR Life and Knowing When to Say No AND Yes. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the conversation about consent with the people you work with.
Sexual Right: Safety, Empowering Self-Advocates to Keep Themselves Safe
When knowledge and skills are withheld, people are set up to be unsafe. People with disabilities are not asking for us to protect them; they are asking for knowledge and skills to keep themselves safe. They are saying they have the right to have what they need to protect themselves – education.
Abuse Awareness and Prevention Guide
In an effort to prevent sexual assault and other forms of abuse for people with disabilities, the Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council (MODDC) partnered with other organizations to develop the Abuse Awareness and Prevention Guide. The guide is designed to help people with disabilities, and others understand and identify sexual assault and other forms of abuse. The guide provides both tools to help people prevent various forms of abuse and resources for survivors of abuse. Also, a video version of the guide is available.
Video: Consent for Kids
Consent is like being the ruler of your own country…population: YOU. This is a smart, playful guide to consent and bodily autonomy for kids, but great messages for all of us!
AMAZE Videos: Personal Safety
Amaze has a variety of videos about personal safety topics. Topics include consent, sextortion, social media, sexting, sexual harassment, sexual assault, sex trafficking, and more. Each video also has conversation starters for parents and educators and lesson plans.
National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)
The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) is the leading nonprofit in providing information and tools to prevent and respond to sexual violence. NSVRC translates research and trends into best practices that help individuals, communities, and service providers achieve real and lasting change.
People with Intellectual Disabilities and Sexual Violence
From The Arc.
https://www.thearc.org/what-we-do/resources/fact-sheets/sexual-violence
End Abuse of People with Disabilities
This website is a place to connect with others engaged in this work, to access the latest resources and research from the field, and to advance the thinking around intervention and prevention.
NPR Series: Abused and Betrayed
This series focuses on a year-long investigation into the hidden epidemic of sexual assault on people with developmental disabilities.
Autism Housing Network
Ten Point Guide on Responding to Suspected Abuse of People with Developmental Disabilities
Recognizing Survivors of All Ages & Abilities This Domestic Violence Awareness Month
From the Administration for Community Living.
National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) Addressing Sexual Violence & Neglect Report
Talk About Sexual Violence
From The Arc.
Access videos and accompanying resources to support healthcare professionals in talking to their patients with I/DD about sexual violence
Learn more here: https://thearc.org/our-initiatives/criminal-justice/talk-about-sexual-violence/
Disability Justice & Violence Prevention Resource Hub
Statewide efforts support to prevent violence and enhance independence and wellness among people with disabilities.
Learn more here: https://indisabilityjustice.org/?s=abuse
Trainings
Developmental Disabilities and Sexuality: Becoming a Sexuality Educator and Trainer
A 3-day certificate training for anyone who works with people with developmental disabilities and wants to lead sexuality education classes and staff/parent training.
Learn more here: https://www.elevatustraining.com/developmental-disabilities-and-sexuality-becoming-a-sexuality-educator-and-trainer/
Developmental Disabilities and Sexuality 101
This 6-module online course offers you a proven, nuts-and-bolts approach to discussing sexuality and responding to behaviors. You’ll come away feeling more skillful, comfortable, and confident when discussing sexuality with the people you serve.
Learn more here: https://www.elevatustraining.com/workshops-and-products/developmental-disabilities-and-sexuality-101/
Curriculum
Sexuality Education for People with Developmental Disabilities Curriculum
This 350-page, one-of-a-kind curriculum has been field-tested and praised by experts and laypeople alike. It’s cognitively accessible and designed for teams of self-advocates, staff and teachers to co-lead an inspiring and engaging sexuality class. There is also a section that focuses on helping individuals with I/DD learn about healthy relationships and when to recognize when things go bad.
Learn more here: https://www.elevatustraining.com/workshops-and-products/sexuality-education-for-people-with-developmental-disabilities-curriculum/
NEW! Sexuality Education for People with Developmental Disabilities Curriculum Adapted for People with High Support Learning Needs
In an effort to reach all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, we’ve created adaptations to our existing Sexuality Education for People with Developmental Disabilities Curriculum for people who need simplified concepts, more visuals, and more time to process information.
Learn more here: https://www.elevatustraining.com/workshops-and-products/curriculum-hsn/
Building Healthy Relationships at Work for People with Developmental Disabilities Curriculum
This 12 lesson curriculum will help you teach people with Developmental Disabilities how to navigate all types of relationships including co-worker relationships and also, become great employees. Topics include healthy/unhealthy relationships and what to do if you are being harassed or experiencing abuse.
Learn more here: https://www.elevatustraining.com/workshops-and-products/sexuality-education-for-people-with-developmental-disabilities-curriculum/