Development of Measures of Abuse Among Women With Disabilities and the Characteristics of Their Perpetrators

Three hundred and five women with diverse disabilities completed an anonymous audio computer-assisted self-interview designed to increase women's awareness of abuse. Data were also collected regarding abuse experienced in the past year and the risk characteristics of their perpetrators. Overall, 68% reported some type of abuse. Preliminary evidence for the validity and reliability of questions to assess abuse and perpetrator risk characteristics was found. Latent class analysis revealed four distinct classes of abuse experiences: sexual abuse, physical abuse, multiple forms of abuse, and minimal abuse and three classes of perpetrator risk characteristics: controlling characteristics, noncontrolling characteristics, and minimal risk characteristics.