Preventive Treatment on Sexual Abuse Survivor with Mental Retardation

Abstract

The existence of limitations for children with mental retardation causes an
inability to protect themselves so that they often become victims of sexual
harassment. Preventive efforts are something that needs to be improved for
prevention, considering the worse risks to children. The importance of an effort
to prevent sexual abuse of children with mental retardation in connection with
the lack of knowledge about sexual abuse and the inability of children to face
the dangers that threaten themselves. From the results of research conducted
in the United States in 1994, nearly 90% of children with mental retardation
disorders had experienced sexual abuse, as many as 49% had experienced
sexual abuse more than ten times. The high incidence of sexual abuse
experienced by children with mental retardation is due to various factors,
namely the condition of children's limitations, lack of supervision and
protection of children by parents and the environment. Efforts that can be made
are increasing knowledge about sexual abuse and self-protection skills through
the Behavioral Skills Training Group Program, where children are trained to
recognize threatening objects and situations (sexual abuse). Increasing
knowledge about sexual abuse and providing training (self-protection skills) is
a significant primary preventive measure to reduce the risk of sexual abuse in
children with mental retardation.