Safety: A Human Right

[SARN Memo for March 11, 2009]

In many places, people with disabilities do not get equal treatment. Take personal safety: People with disabilities are more likely to be sexually abused in their lives.

But we have rights. In 2007, the United Nations passed a new law. It says people with disabilities have the same rights as everyone else. It says we have the right to be safe from violence and abuse.

1. The Problem: Abuse
2. What Does the New UN Law Say?
3. Group Activity: I Know Who to Tell
4. Resource

• Respond to this memo!

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1. The Problem: Abuse

Sound familiar?

• We are abused in secret, in places where we live.
• I was given heavy drugs to control and punish me.
• I was deprived of food and water.
• They did experiments on me. I was not asked.
• I am forced to work hard for no pay.
• I think people harm us because they are afraid of us.

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2. What Does the New UN Law Say?

Here are some of what the new law says about the right of personal safety (paraphrased):

• We have a right to be safe—at home, at school, at the doctor.
• It is not our disability that puts us at risk; rather, it is the attitude of the abusers.
• The state should seek out and punish abusers.
• Police should be trained about disability.
• Even in prison, we have the right to be safe from harm.
• We have the right to decide what happens to our bodies.

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3. Group Activity: I Know Who to Tell

Find out how people with disabilities can report abuse. Tell it to your group. Have each person make a poster with this information on it. Talk about why it might be wise to let family and caretakers know that you will report abuse.

Many people will need support to report. Decide who each person could ask to help him or her. Role-play telling someone you trust about abuse and asking for support and help.

NOTE: This may bring out painful stories. Some in your group may need one-to-one support. Plan to have extra people to help with this. Also, know the laws in your area. Some stories may be told that you must report.

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4. Resource

We Have Human Rights
(28 pp, full color)
Today’s memo is based on a dynamite new book for people with developmental disabilities. You can use it to learn about your rights. You can also use it to talk with others about your rights. It even has great exercises for your group. It’s written for self-advocates around the world.

1. Free download. Get a free download copy of the book from the publisher, Harvard Project on Disability.
2. Order a hard copy. Order hard copies of the book in volume discounts from ACT’s online catalog.

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