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In Their Own Words: People With Intellectual Disabilities Talk About Rape

James Meadours (left), Debbie Robinson and Thomas Mangrum share their stories about sexual assault. Lizzie Chen for NPR; Claire Harbage and Meg Anderson/NPR hide caption

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Lizzie Chen for NPR; Claire Harbage and Meg Anderson/NPR

Abused And Betrayed

In Their Own Words: People With Intellectual Disabilities Talk About Rape

In the final piece of NPR's series on the sexual assault epidemic against people with intellectual disabilities, we hear from victims themselves about how these experiences shape their lives.

In Their Own Words: People With Intellectual Disabilities Talk About Rape

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Investigations

In Their Words, Adults With Intellectual Disabilities Tell Their Sexual Assault Stories

NPR obtained data from the United States Department of Justice that shows adults with intellectual disabilities suffer from an epidemic of sexual assault. Many keep their sexual assaults a secret, and it can isolate them, telling NPR they worry it proves they are not competent to live and work independently.

In Their Words, Adults With Intellectual Disabilities Tell Their Sexual Assault Stories

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From The Frontlines Of A Sexual Assault Epidemic: 2 Therapists Share Stories

An NPR investigation finds that people with intellectual disabilities suffer one of the highest rates of sexual assault — and that compared with other rape victims, they are even more likely to be assaulted by someone they know. Cornelia Li for NPR hide caption

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Cornelia Li for NPR

Abused And Betrayed

From The Frontlines Of A Sexual Assault Epidemic: 2 Therapists Share Stories

Two psychologists both have a rare specialty: counseling sexual assault survivors who have intellectual disabilities. The stories of sexual violence in their clients' lives have striking similarities.

From The Frontlines Of A Sexual Assault Epidemic: 2 Therapists Share Stories

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How Prosecutors Changed The Odds To Start Winning Some Of The Toughest Rape Cases

Lyons-Boswick goes to Veterans Courthouse in Newark to have a judge sign off on a warrant she needs to prosecute a sexual assault case. Cassandra Giraldo for NPR hide caption

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Cassandra Giraldo for NPR

Abused And Betrayed

How Prosecutors Changed The Odds To Start Winning Some Of The Toughest Rape Cases

A rape case 25 years ago revolutionized justice for people with intellectual disabilities. They were "unwinnable" rape cases, until prosecutors figured out the secret.

How Prosecutors Changed The Odds To Start Winning Some Of The Toughest Rape Cases

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'She Can't Tell Us What's Wrong'

Patricia (from left), Natalie and their mother, Rosemary, sit in their home in Northern California. Natalie, a woman with an intellectual disability, is unable to speak. She couldn't explain what was wrong and doctors couldn't figure out why she was in pain. Talia Herman for NPR hide caption

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Talia Herman for NPR

Abused And Betrayed

'She Can't Tell Us What's Wrong'

Many people with intellectual disabilities can't talk or have difficulty speaking — and are unable to report when they've been raped or sexually assaulted.

'She Can't Tell Us What's Wrong'

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For Some With Intellectual Disabilities, Ending Abuse Starts With Sex Ed

A participant helps Park hang the agenda on the wall at the start of class. Brianna Soukup for NPR hide caption

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Brianna Soukup for NPR

Abused And Betrayed

For Some With Intellectual Disabilities, Ending Abuse Starts With Sex Ed

The high rates of sexual assault among people with intellectual disabilities can make romantic relationships difficult. One class aims to teach them about healthy relationships and sexuality.

For Some With Intellectual Disabilities, Ending Abuse Starts With Sex Ed

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Abused And Betrayed

NPR Investigation Finds Hidden Epidemic Of Sexual Assault

People with intellectual disabilities are sexually assaulted at seven times the rate of people without disabilities. It's a crime that often goes unrecognized and unpunished.

NPR Investigation Finds Hidden Epidemic Of Sexual Assault

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The Sexual Assault Epidemic No One Talks About

Pauline stands in her room after coming home from a day program for adults with intellectual disabilities. Michelle Gustafson for NPR hide caption

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Michelle Gustafson for NPR

Abused And Betrayed

The Sexual Assault Epidemic No One Talks About

People with intellectual disabilities are the victims of sexual assault at a rate seven times higher than those without disabilities. But this epidemic receives little attention.

The Sexual Assault Epidemic No One Talks About

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National

Police: Las Vegas Shooter Had Multiple Guns At Hotel And At His Home

California Rep. Adam Schiff, top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said he was briefed by FBI officials. He was told that among the guns found in the hotel, were fully automatic weapons.

Police: Las Vegas Shooter Had Multiple Guns At Hotel And At His Home

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Investigations

U.S. Moves To Amend Secret Mustard Gas Tests On Veterans

A wrong against a group of World War II veterans is about to be righted. There will be new acknowledgment that tens of thousands of troops were used as human test subjects for the Army's experiments with one of the most dreaded weapons of the time — mustard gas. And for the few who still survive, there's a new promise of health benefits.

U.S. Moves To Amend Secret Mustard Gas Tests On Veterans

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Lawsuit Says Lewisburg Prison Counsels Prisoners With Crossword Puzzles

An aerial view of the Lewisburg prison complex in Pennsylvania. Google Earth hide caption

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Google Earth

Investigations

Lawsuit Says Lewisburg Prison Counsels Prisoners With Crossword Puzzles

At a notorious federal prison, inmates with mental illness are taken off their medications and given coloring books and crossword puzzles for therapy, according to a lawsuit filed this month.

Lawsuit Says Lewisburg Prison Counsels Prisoners With Crossword Puzzles

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How One Inmate Changed The Prison System From The Inside

Martin Sostre on Feb. 12, 1976 — the same week he was released from prison after he was granted executive clemency by the governor of New York. Vic DeLucia/The New York Post via Getty Images hide caption

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Vic DeLucia/The New York Post via Getty Images

Code Switch

How One Inmate Changed The Prison System From The Inside

The abbreviated story of Martin Sostre, a revolutionary prisoner who challenged and changed the American prison system from his cell in solitary confinement.

How One Inmate Changed The Prison System From The Inside

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Nick Dupree Fought To Live 'Like Anyone Else'

Nick Dupree arrives at the Federal Courthouse in Montgomery, Ala. on Feb. 11, 2003. His success in getting the state to continue support past age 21 enabled him to attend college and live in his own home. Jamie Martin/AP hide caption

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Jamie Martin/AP

Shots - Health News

Nick Dupree Fought To Live 'Like Anyone Else'

The activist campaigned to change rules, so that people with disabilities could get nursing care and other support at home past the age of 21, and get married without losing Medicaid benefits.

Nick Dupree Fought To Live 'Like Anyone Else'

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