SAFE: Stop Abuse for Everyone

A personal safety training guide for adults with disabilities and care providers

Module 2: Neglect and Withholding Support

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Fun Questions

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Your Rights

• Right to Be Safe• Right to Speak Out• Right to Get Help

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Knowledge Is Power

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What is Safety?• Safety is not being in danger.• Safety is being free from harm or risk of

harm.• Safety is about keeping safe at home, at

work an in the community

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What is Safety?

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• At home• At work• In the community

Parts of SafetyMoney & Stuff

Support/Care

Physical & Verbal

Sexual Safety

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SafeMoney & Stuff

Support/Care

Physical & Verbal

Sexual Safety

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Not SafeMoney & Stuff

Support/Care

Physical & Verbal

Sexual Safety

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Your Rights

• Right to Be Safe• Right to Speak Out• Right to Get Help

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Parts of SafetyMoney & Stuff

Support/Care

Physical & Verbal

Sexual Safety

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What do you need to live?

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What do you need to live?Bathroom/Hygiene

Communication or InteractionTransportation

Medication or EquipmentFood

Place to Live

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Things to Live

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Questions?• What about people with Disabilities?

Are there things they need that others may not?

• What would happen if you did not have the things you need to live?

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What are Support People?

• Anyone who provides you with assistance or care.• Anyone who helps you get or do the

things you need to live.

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Support People?• Do you rely on others to assist you

with your daily needs?

• How do they help you?

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Who Might Support You?• Friend• Teacher• Co-worker• Doctor• Nurse• Clergy or Pastor

• Family member • Partner• Care provider/

support person• Rep Payee• Personal Assistant

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What is Neglect?• When someone who is taking care of you does

not pay attention to your needs.• When someone withholds support or does not

provide you with the things you need to live.

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Who Might Neglect You?

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Who Might Neglect You?• Friend• Teacher• Co-worker• Doctor• Nurse• Rep Payee• Clergy or Pastor

• Family member • Partner• Stranger• Care provider/

support person• Personal Assistant

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Paid vs. Unpaid Support People

• What are some examples of paid support people?

• What if someone is neglecting you and you are not paying for their services?

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What can you do to protect yourself from

neglect?

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Example #1Malcolm uses an electric wheelchair and also requires support with his personal hygiene, such as bathing, toileting and dressing. He also needs support transferring to and from his wheelchair. Malcolm wants to hire a new personal assistant. During each interview, Malcolm explained that he needs support during the night to go to the bathroom, sometimes two or three times a night. After interviewing several people Malcolm makes his decision and hires a new personal assistant. But after several days the new personal assistant ignores Malcolm’s call during the night for help to go to the bathroom.

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Example #2Mary is a young woman who lives in a group home with other young women and

men. Mary likes talking to guys, and wants a boyfriend. Mary’s mother is her legal guardian. That means Mary’s mother went to court and asked a judge if she could make decisions for Mary, instead of Mary making her own decisions. Mary’s mother does not like Mary talking to guys or want her to have a boyfriend. Mary’s mother told staff that they were to keep Mary away from guys. Mary is not supposed to talk to guys, or go to the movies or out to dinner if guys were also along. This makes Mary angry and sad.

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Example #3Henry needs to go to the doctor once a month.

He counts on his assistant, Bill, to take him. This month Henry and Bill get into an argument. Bill, the assistant, refuses to take Henry to his doctor’s appointment.

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Why is it Hard to Tell?

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How to Tell…• Stay calm• Don’t laugh or smile• Be confident• Tell the facts• Use a loud voice and speak up• Look the person in the eye or face

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How to Tell…• Tell what happened• Tell someone you trust• Keep telling until someone does

something• Have someone you trust with

you when you tell29

Trust

• Who do you trust in your life?

• Why do you trust them?

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Who Can You Tell?• Friend• Teacher• Co-worker• Doctor• Nurse• Rep Payee• Police

• Clergy or pastor• Family member • Partner• Care provider/

support• Personal Assistant• Other

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If You Need Help

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Parts of SafetyMoney & Stuff

Support/Care

Physical & Verbal

Sexual Safety

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Your Rights

• Right to Be Safe• Right to Speak Out• Right to Get Help

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Knowledge Is Power

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Thank You!

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