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Consumer Abuse Awareness Team

You have really opened my eyes. After watching this presentation we will think twice if one of the consumers in our homes says “NO.” We will try to find out if something else is going on in their life.”

—Harold Kay, Residential Care Provider

ABOUT US

The Consumer Abuse Awareness Team believes that everyone has the right to be free from abuse. Unfortunately for people with developmental disabilities, most abuse happens at the hands of people they are told they can trust. The abuse is seldom if ever reported. Presenters teach staff and professionals of your agency how to help protect the people you support by breaking away from the culture of abuse.

THE TEAM

The Consumer Abuse Awareness Team, or CAAT, is made up of presenters with developmental disabilities. Having grown up in the social service system, CAAT Presenters are able to present this information with first-hand knowledge and expertise.

CAAT

The Consumer Abuse Awareness Team offers a free presentation that will come to your facility or agency. However, this presentation is still available over Zoom. This is an excellent training tool for any community agency that supports people with disabilities. 

One free CEU for this is available for staff of vendors of Far Northern Regional Center. 

In this presentation you will learn:

  • Statistics of abuse of people with developmental disabilities
  • Rates of prosecution for the abuser
  • How to recognize abuse
  • Who a mandated reporter is
  • Penalties for not reporting abuse
  • How to support and empower someone who has been abused
  • What you can do to help stop the culture of abuse

THE FACTS

Abuse is hurtful things done over and over again so that the abuser feels they have power over their victim. Rates of abuse in people with developmental disabilities are alarmingly high, which is why the Consumer Abuse Awareness Team is so passionate about spreading the message that:

  • The ability to say NO is the most powerful tool in abuse prevention
  • More than 90% of people with developmental disabilities will be abused in their lifetime
  • Half of those people will be abused 10 or more times
  • Only 3% of sexual assaults against people with developmental disabilities are ever reported
  • Abusers typically abuse at least 70 people before being caught
  • 99% of the time the abuser is someone known and trusted by the person they are supporting