Research Bulletin, Vol. 1, No. 2, 1996 - Dr. Stirling McDowell ...

Sexual Victimization: Strategies for Teachers Who Teach Childrenand Adolescents with Intellectual DisabilitiesBobbi ShinskeAs a teacher in Prince Albert and a graduate studentat the University of Saskatchewan, Shinske becameconcerned with the extent of sexual abuse of childrenand adolescents with intellectual disabilities.She found the statistics quoted in the literature to be“horrendous.” It is estimated that children andadolescents with intellectual disabilities are 3-5times more likely to be abused than youth withoutdisabilities. By 18 years of age, 80% of femalesand 60% of males have been sexually abused. Formost children and adolescents with intellectualdisabilities, their first sexual experience is likelyto be abusive.Having researched the subject thoroughly as partof her graduate studies, Shinske wanted to gofurther and make the information available toteachers in Saskatchewan. While realizing thatthere are no quick solutions or easy answers forsolving this problem, she recognized “there is alot teachers can do to temper the harsh reality ofsexual abuse that exists for our youth. In orderfor children to rebuild their self-esteem andabsolve their misguided guilt, they need genuineknowledgeable support from a caring adult.” Onthe basis of her research and with the help of areference group, she put together a handbook forteachers that gives both information and strategiesto use in their classrooms when they areconfronted with problems or concerns of thisnature.Bobbi Shinske talks abouther research at the 1996 Learningfrom Practice seminar.Learning from Practice 21