Research by the government has proven that people with disabilities are 50 percent more likely to be victims of violent crimes than are people without disabilities. There is a wild rage of disable people who are victims of violent crime, disabilities include: blindness, deafness, developmentally disabled, and other physical and mental limitations. The study by the U.S. Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Statistics said instances of violence against disabled people occurred overall 1½ times the rate of those without disabilities, but the numbers varied by age group. Disabled people from ages 12 to 19 and 35 to 49 are most vulnerable for victimization. The study found that people with cognitive disabilities such as mental retardation, developmental disabilities and cerebral palsy represented the largest group of victims.
Below is a chart of violent crimes committed from 2009-2011 comparing crimes involving people with disabilities and people without. Although people will disabilities have a lower total number, the number of assaults against them is shocking. It's important to keep in mind that just because the numbers of assaulted disabled people is lower than the average person doesn't mean that they're not victimized. Disabled people are not as easy to come by as an average pedestrian, that could also play a key part in why the numbers don't match up. But, I can guarantee a person looking to a commit a violent crime would chose a disabled person over a healthy person if they had the choice too.
Below is a chart of violent crimes committed from 2009-2011 comparing crimes involving people with disabilities and people without. Although people will disabilities have a lower total number, the number of assaults against them is shocking. It's important to keep in mind that just because the numbers of assaulted disabled people is lower than the average person doesn't mean that they're not victimized. Disabled people are not as easy to come by as an average pedestrian, that could also play a key part in why the numbers don't match up. But, I can guarantee a person looking to a commit a violent crime would chose a disabled person over a healthy person if they had the choice too.
Persons with Disabilities Persons without Disabilities
Type of crime 2009 2010 2011 2009 2010 2011
Total 999,060 870,590 922,900 5,032,300 4,432,020 4,446,400
Serious crime 310,580 337,960 401,090 1,673,730 1,494,420 1,371,240
Rape/sexual assault 44,330 33,580 58,600 283,310 253,490 197,590
Robbery 135,250 141,130 143,630 522,180 460,670 419,000
Aggravated assault 131,010 163,250 198,860 868,240 780,260 754,660
Simple assault 688,470 532,630 521,810 3,358,570 2,937,600 3,075,15
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