New Partnership to Combat Pervasive, Hidden Problem Announced On-line "Town Hall" to Be Held May 30 to Discuss Path Forward
Addressing the long-neglected needs of crime victims with disabilities is the focus of a new partnership announced today by the National Council on Disability, the Association of University Centers on Disabilities, and the National Center for Victims of Crime.Advance Announcement: The media is invited to attend an on-line "town hall" meeting that will be held by the partnering organizations on Wednesday, May 30, 2007, at 3:00 p.m. (EDT). This meeting will connect victim service providers, disability activists, and others from across to country to discuss the joint statement in greater detail and identify specific strategies for addressing the needs of crime victims with disabilities. Please call Mary Rappaport at 202-467-8714 for more information. The Web cast is being donated and produced by Independent Living Research Utilization
The ultimate goal of this partnership is to foster greater public awareness about crime victims with disabilities and to forge a national commitment to better serve this particularly vulnerable population.
"For far too long, crime victims with disabilities have been virtually invisible in our nation. Greater understanding by the general public, elected officials and other policy makers, and those in the disability, judicial system, and victim services communities is foundational to addressing the unmet needs of this underserved population," said John Vaughn, chairperson of the National Council on Disability. "We join our esteemed partners today in calling for a comprehensive approach to turn this situation around."
Very little reliable national data exists on crimes against people with disabilities. Existing research suggests, however, that persons with disabilities are victimized at much higher rates when compared with the general population.
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