Community Living Ontario

Did You Know?

• People who have an intellectual disability have experienced higher incidence of abuse than other groups in society.
• Statistics show that people who have a disability are among the most at risk of experiencing abuse or neglect. A survey conducted by DAWN (Disabled Women’s Network) Canada of approximately 250 women with disabilities found that 40% of the respondents had been raped, abused or assaulted and 53% of women who had been disabled from birth or early childhood had been abused.
• Most findings on abuse of people who have an intellectual disability estimate that the risk is 2 to 4 times greater than that of the general population.
• Adults who have an intellectual disability are 2.9 times more likely to be victims of physical assault and 10.7 times more likely to be victims of sexual assault than adults without a disability.

What's New?

February 8, 2010: Safeguards for Adults who are Vulnerable to Abuse and Neglect: Discussion Paper and Policy Position

At the 2009 Annual General Meeting of Community Living Ontario, the membership adopted a resolution that was brought forward on behalf of the Freedom From Harm Working Group committing to work on provincial mechanisms to enhance the protection of adults aged 16 and older from abuse and neglect.

Over the past several months, the Freedom From Harm Working Group and Social Policy Committee of Community Living Ontario have been working jointly to further this work. The groups have produced a disucssion paper on issues of vulnerability to abuse and neglect among people who have an intellectual disability as well as a position paper on mandatory reporting and response mechanisms. These materials will assist in meeting with government and other community stakeholders to explore the details of and build support for enhanced protections against abuse in Ontario.

Adults who are Vulnerable to Abuse and Neglect: Discussion Paper; Policy Position on Mandatory Reporting

October 28, 2009: Community Living Ontario calls for broader investigation into shooting death of Doug Minty

Community Living Ontario has asked the province’s Chief Coroner to investigate the death of Doug Minty, 59, who died after being shot multiple times by an Ontario Provincial Police officer. The officer was responding to an altercation that occurred at Minty’s home. Neighbours have reported that Doug Minty had a developmental disability. They also say that he was an important part of his community—often assisting neighbours with groceries, shoveling snow and other things that they needed help with.

The provincial Special Investigations Unit has concluded an investigation into the case and has found no reason to pursue charges against the officer. The Freedom From Harm Working Group has been discussing developments in the situation since it occurred in June. We believe there is a need for a broader investigation into the circumstances of his death. To view a copy of the letter that was sent to the Chief Coroner, click here. A press release issued by Community Living Ontario can be found by clicking here.

June 6, 2009: Community Living Ontario adopts resolution on protecting adults from abuse and neglect

At its 2009 Annual General Meeting, the Board and membership of Community Living Ontario adopted a resolution brought forward on behalf of the Freedom From Harm Working Group to enhance protections for adults aged 16 and older from abuse, neglect and other forms of harm. A copy of the resolution as adopted at the Annual General Meeting can be found here.

The Issue

All people should be able to live with a sense of safety and freedom from harm. This confidence—that one will not be harmed or abused—is something that every person wants from their community. Everyone should be able to feel safe when they are at home, at school, at work and when they are in their community.

We know that no community can ever guarantee complete safety for its citizens. We all share certain risks and vulnerabilities. However, people who have an intellectual disability endure far greater rates of violence, abuse and other forms of harm than others in society. People who have an intellectual disability should be able to share in the same confidence of safety as other members of the community.

People can be confident that they will be safe from harm when they know that:

• They have a community that cares about their well being;
• There are laws that protect them from abuse and harm;
• They know about laws that protect them from abuse and harm;
• They know that laws that ensure their safety will be enforced in the same way as they would for any other citizen;
• They know that if they suffer harm or abuse, that they can tell someone about it and significant action will be taken.