Counselor Professional Identity, Function, And Ethics

3634 Words15 Pages
Running Head: Disability and Abuse Title Page 1 Counselor Professional Identity, Function, and Ethics Counseling those with Disabilities who have been Abused Master of Arts in Professional Counseling Abstract Abuse has become a focus of concern in today's society. Historically, signs and symptoms of abuse in people with developmental disabilities have not been effectively recognized, assessed, or treated. Preconceived ideas, institutionalization, lack of creative communication and technologies, and limited self-determination influence the incidence of abuse. Awareness of this issue grown over that last few decades and counselors are becoming more equipped to counsel this type of abuse. This paper will discuss…show more content…
Counselors are beginning to develop an understanding of PAS abuse. For example, Nosek et al. ( 2001) found that 15% of women with disabilities reported sexual or physical abuse by service providers, compared to 4% of women without disabilities. Ulicny, White, Bradford and Mathews (1990) surveyed 91 users of 15 randomly selected independent living center attendant services programs. Those surveyed 40% reported financial abuse while 10% reported physical abuse. PAS reported abuse by women included 49% having their provider arrive late or leave early, 41% having been insulted or put down, 36% having their money stolen, 14% having equipment immobilized or broken, 14% having their medication withheld, stolen or overdosed, 14% having been physically abused, and 6% having been forced into unwanted sexual activity (Ulicny et al.1990). PAS reported abuse by men included 44% having been insulted or put down, 34% having their provider arrive late or leave early, 14.9% having their medication stolen, 12% having checks or credit card payments forged, 10% having equipment immobilized or broken, 9% having been hit, kicked, slapped or otherwise hurt, and 8% having been forced into unwanted sexual activity (Ulicny et al. 1990). The context of the personal assistance relationship, between the disabled person as the employer and…show more content…
Those with disabilities have identified a variety of obstacles that limit their capacities to prevent and stop abuse. These limitations exist at the personal level and within victim and disability service systems. Those with disabilities have described common and unique personal barriers to managing abuse. While most individuals are concerned that they won’t be believed if they report abuse, men with disabilities and people with cognitive disabilities express particular concern. Likewise, while abuse disclosure is difficult for everyone, women report greater difficulty in naming the abuse, whereas men communicate that although they recognize abuse when it happens, they have a tendency to stay silent because it can feel emasculating to disclose (Powers et al. 2004). Another complex issue for men and women with disabilities is addressing abuse when the perpetrator is a family member or a friend who also provides personal assistance. Although many individuals have reported that their risk for abuse is lower when their provider is a family member or a friend, dealing with abuse when it arises in these relationships can be very difficult. Taken as a whole, the personal barriers that are the biggest impediments to addressing abuse include, most people don't believe that men

More about Counselor Professional Identity, Function, And Ethics

Open Document