Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation

If you were abused, you have the right to report it.

If you have a concern that someone is being abused, you have the right to report it.

You can report a concern without giving your name. You do not need to be related to the person you have a concern about to call the DDD Abuse Hotline.

To report a concern of abuse, neglect, or exploitation happening to a person with developmental disabilities, age 18 or older, call the DDD Abuse Hotline at 1-800-832-9173 (then press 1)

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are four to ten times more likely to be abused than their peers without disabilities, and the abuse is often more severe, prolonged, and repeated. There are many reasons for this, including the following:

They are not always given information or education about what abuse is, making it difficult for them to know when it happens to them.
They are often dependent on caregivers.
They often have communication barriers.
They are or they feel isolated from their community.
They are sometimes viewed as "less than," which can lead to indifference on the part of caregivers.

Abuse occurs in all kinds of settings, including homes, residential and day-services facilities, and schools. Perpetrators are often people known and trusted by the person.

Abuse Definitions

The definitions of abuse vary from state to state. In New Jersey, abuse of a person with a developmental disability is defined in N.J. Rev. Stat. § 30:6D‑74.

All types of abuse involve one person or group of people harming another person by either performing an action or failing to perform an action. Below are some examples of abuse that should be reported:

Physical harm (example: pushing, hitting, biting, or shoving)
Forced medical treatment (example: having to take medication you do not want and do not legally have to take)
Verbal abuse (example: name calling or yelling)
Neglect (example: when someone is supposed to take care of certain things for you, but they do not)
Sexual abuse (example: sexual assault, inappropriate touching, or sexual harassment)
Financial exploitation (example: someone stealing money, not spending your money on you and your needs)

Warning Signs of Abuse

A person being physically abused may:

Have unexplained burns, bites, bruises, broken bones, black eyes or other injuries
Provide inconsistent explanations for injuries
Be fearful of certain people or situations
Express feelings of shame, embarrassment or depression
Have imprint injuries (e.g. marks shaped like fingers, hands or belts)
Have numerous injuries at various stages and degrees of healing
Have injuries in locations not commonly associated with accidents
Have difficulty walking or standing
Have undergone changes in appetite or weight
Have frequent stomachaches or headaches
Act withdrawn or significantly change their behavior
Disclose abuse indirectly by saying things like, “She was right, I should have been easier to work with the first time around,” or “He doesn’t know his own strength”;
Avoid eye contact
Refer questions to the person suspected of abusing them or search for approval to converse with others
Change their sleep pattern
Refuse to shower or change clothes

A person being neglected may:

Be malnourished, continuously hungry or have recent weight loss
Live in unsafe or dirty conditions (bugs, dirty sheets, faulty utilities)
Display signs that they have not been bathed
Have mannerisms that seem detached or flat
Appear fearful or distrustful of authority figures
Wear dirty, torn or unkempt clothing

A person being financially exploited or abused may:

Open or close financial accounts
Have unexplained withdrawals of either large or small sums of money
Have spending habits that are inconsistent or unusual for the individual;
Have unpaid bills
Express anxiety or confusion about personal finances or transactions
Avoid conversations regarding financial matters

Prevention of Abuse

Preventing abuse in any form requires a coordinated effort across individuals, families, providers, and government agencies. Indicators of a strong prevention effort can include:

Legal protections
Empowerment, advocacy, self-advocacy
Caregiver and staff training
Organizational policies
Systemic oversight and comprehensive investigative processes
Accessible reporting mechanisms and protection from retaliation for reporting
Local, state, and national prevention initiatives
Support for abuse survivors: believing them and providing access to counseling, legal assistance, and safe living arrangements