I can't say that when I read this I was surprised -- I wasn't. But there's a harsh reality that comes with seeing certain statistics in print. According to CNN, disabled people are 50% more likely to be victims of violent crime than those without disabilities. They're talking about a wide range of disabilities -- not just arthritis.
According to a study by the U.S. Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Statistics, violent crimes against disabled people occurred at 1 1/2 times the rate of violent crimes against non-disabled people. The statistics from 2007 revealed that there were 476,000 simple assaults, 114,000 aggravated assaults, 79,000 robberies, and 47,000 rapes or sexual assaults against disabled people. The report dished up the facts but didn't cross into a discussion of "why" -- but that may seem somewhat obvious to most.
Being careful and taking precautions is smart whether you're disabled or not. In this fast-paced world we live in, perhaps this report will serve as a reminder -- disabled people must be extra vigilant with regard to their own safety.
Related Resources:
- Home Crime Safety Quiz
- People With Disabilities - Living in a "Normal World"
- Protect Yourself Against Sexual Assault
- How to Obtain a Handicapped Parking Permit
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