The Prevalence and Correlates of Partner Violence Used and Experienced by Adults With Intellectual Disabilities: A...

It has been suggested that individuals with intellectual disabilities (IDs) are at increased risk of violence perpetration and victimization. A systematic review was undertaken to identify and critically evaluate the existing empirical research concerning the use and experience of partner violence by adults with IDs. In total, six poor-quality articles were identified: five of which adopted qualitative methods and one of which adopted a mixed-methods approach, comprising a total of 93 participants (48 women, 45 men: 1 perpetrator, 92 victims). The qualitative data were extracted from the studies and synthesized. A partner violence victimization rate of 60% was identified in one nonrepresentative sample. Two superordinate themes emerged from the qualitative data: nature of partner violence experience and help seeking. Children were the cross-cutting theme within the two superordinate themes. Participants reported experiencing a range of physical, emotional, and sexual violence leading to serious injury and psychological consequences. Participants reported experiences of positive and negative help-seeking reactions from professionals and specific requirements of services for victims with IDs. Children were identified as involved in the experience of abuse, the impact of abuse, and decisions to seek help. The findings indicate that training of clinical staff to detect partner violence is needed. In addition, adults with IDs need education concerning healthy relationships. Research is needed to better understand the difference between "challenging behavior" that is behavior displayed by an individual which challenges services, family members, and carers. Such behavior is more common in individuals with a severe ID for whom it would not be appropriate to be dealt with through the criminal justice system, and partner violence, in order to develop appropriate interventions for victims and perpetrators with ID.