Safeguarding strategies in athletes with intellectual disabilities: A narrative review
George Raum DO
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Search for more papers by this authorKuntal Chowdhary MD
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Search for more papers by this authorOlivia A. Glotfelty-Scheuering MLIS, MHA, AHIP, EBP-C
The Brady Library of the Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Search for more papers by this authorCatherine S. M. Stratton MPH
Department of Epidemiology, University of Toronto Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Toronto, Canada
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Yetsa A. Tuakli-Wosornu MD, MPH
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
Correspondence
Yetsa A. Tuakli-Wosornu, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale University School of Public Health, 60 State Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorGeorge Raum DO
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Search for more papers by this authorKuntal Chowdhary MD
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Search for more papers by this authorOlivia A. Glotfelty-Scheuering MLIS, MHA, AHIP, EBP-C
The Brady Library of the Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Search for more papers by this authorCatherine S. M. Stratton MPH
Department of Epidemiology, University of Toronto Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Toronto, Canada
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Yetsa A. Tuakli-Wosornu MD, MPH
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
Correspondence
Yetsa A. Tuakli-Wosornu, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale University School of Public Health, 60 State Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Compared to their non-disabled peers, athletes with disabilities are at an increased risk of interpersonal violence in sport. Athletes with intellectual disabilities specifically may face compounded risk due to impaired communication and social challenges. Despite the inherent risk of interpersonal violence in athletes with intellectual disabilities, there is a paucity of literature focused on safeguarding strategies in this population, and no global consensus prevention guidelines exist. The goal of this review was to synthesize the literature on interpersonal violence in athletes with intellectual disabilities and propose an evidence-informed safeguarding framework. Future research and practice should emphasize tailored training on appropriate athlete-protection strategies and ways to recognize and respond to suspicions of abuse in this population. Given the benefits of sports participation for persons with intellectual disabilities, implementation of fit-for-purpose safeguarding strategies would help address any elevated risk of interpersonal violence. Formal monitoring and evaluation of these initiatives can help minimize interpersonal violence.
REFERENCES
- 12021 Global Reach Report. Special Olympics. https://resources.specialolympics.org/governance/reach-report. Accessed December 9, 2023.
- 2Haas K. Special Olympics: an Emerging Player in the Sport for Development Field. Brown University: Special Olympics Inc.; 2012.
- 3Crawford C, Burns J, Fernie BA. Psychosocial impact of involvement in the Special Olympics. Res Dev Disabil. 2015; 45–46: 93-102.
- 4Turgeon S, Turgeon J, Morin D. Coaching special Olympics: a scoping review. Int J Sports Sci Coach. 2022; 18:17479541221134338.
- 5Storli L, Aune MA, Lorås H. Aspects of developmental pathways toward world-class Parasport. Sports. 2022; 10(8): 1-15.
- 6Chen C-C, Ryuh Y-J, Fang Q, Lee Y, Kim M-L. The effects of inclusive soccer program on motor performance and sport skill in young adults with and without intellectual disabilities. J Dev Phys Disabil. 2019; 31(4): 487-499.
- 7Kapsal NJ, Dicke T, Morin AJS, et al. Effects of physical activity on the physical and psychosocial health of youth with intellectual disabilities: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Phys Act Health. 2019; 16(12): 1187-1195.
- 8Bastık C, Gümüşdağ H, Çetiner Ö, Gürsoy R, Özmaden M. The Evaluation of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise for Individuals with Mental Disabilities in Turkey: A Study of Meta-Synthesis. Mattioli Journals; 2021.
- 9Bondár RZ, di Fronso S, Bortoli L, Robazza C, Metsios GS, Bertollo M. The effects of physical activity or sport-based interventions on psychological factors in adults with intellectual disabilities: a systematic review. J Intellect Disabil Res. 2020; 64(2): 69-92.
- 10Johnson CC. The benefits of physical activity for youth with developmental disabilities: a systematic review. Am J Health Promot. 2009; 23(3): 157-167.
- 11Mountjoy M, Brackenridge C, Arrington M, et al. International Olympic Committee consensus statement: harassment and abuse (non-accidental violence) in sport. Br J Sports Med. 2016; 50(17): 1019-1029.
- 12Vertommen T, Schipper-van Veldhoven NH, Hartill MJ, Van Den Eede F. Sexual harassment and abuse in sport: the NOC* NSF helpline. Int Rev Sociol Sport. 2015; 50(7): 822-839.
- 13Maïano C, Coutu S, Morin AJS, Tracey D, Lepage G, Moullec G. Self-concept research with school-aged youth with intellectual disabilities: a systematic review. J Appl Res Intellect Disabil. 2019; 32(2): 238-255.
- 14Tuakli-Wosornu YA, Sun Q, Gentry M, et al. Non-accidental harms ('abuse') in athletes with impairment ('para athletes'): a state-of-the-art review. Br J Sports Med. 2020; 54(3): 129-138.
- 15Gurgis JJ, Kerr G, Darnell S. ‘Safe sport is not for everyone’: equity-deserving athletes’ perspectives of, experiences and recommendations for safe sport. Front Psychol. 2022; 508: 1-11.
- 16Rutland EA, Suttiratana SC, da Silva VS, Janarthanan R, Amick M, Tuakli-Wosornu YA. Para athletes' perceptions of abuse: a qualitative study across three lower resourced countries. Br J Sports Med. 2022; 56(10): 561-567.
- 17Kirby SL, Demers G, Parent S. Vulnerability/prevention: considering the needs of disabled and gay athletes in the context of sexual harassment and abuse. Int J Sport Exerc Psychol. 2008; 6(4): 407-426.
10.1080/1612197X.2008.9671882 Google Scholar
- 18 Safeguarding D/deaf and disabled children. NSPCC Learning. 2022. https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/safeguarding-child-protection/deaf-and-disabled-children. Accessed December 9, 2023.
- 19Valenti-Hein D, Schwartz L. The Sexual Abuse Interview for those with Developmental Disabilities. James Stanfield Company; 1995.
- 20Sobsey R. Violence and Abuse in the Lives of People with Disabilities: the End of Silent Acceptance?. Paul H Brookes Publishing; 1994.
- 21Fagher K, Kunorozva L, Badenhorst M, et al. Safe and Healthy Para sport project (SHAPE): a study protocol of a complex intervention within Para sport. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2022; 8(3):e001392.
- 22 Olympics S. Mission. https://www.specialolympics.org/about/mission. Accessed March 7, 2022.
- 23 International Safeguarding Children in Sport Working Group. International Safeguards for Children in Sport. UNICEF; 2016.
- 24Vertommen T, Schipper-van Veldhoven N, Wouters K, et al. Interpersonal violence against children in sport in The Netherlands and Belgium. Child Abuse Negl. 2016; 51: 223-236.
- 25 CPSU. Sports safeguarding for deaf and disabled children. 2015. https://thecpsu.org.uk/resource-library/best-practice/safeguarding-deaf-and-disabled-children-and-young-people/
- 26Stafford A, Alexander K, Fry D. ‘There was something that wasn't right because that was the only place I ever got treated like that’: children and young people's experiences of emotional harm in sport. Childhood. 2015; 22(1): 121-137.
- 27Stafford A, Alexander K, Fry D. Playing through pain: children and young people's experiences of physical aggression and violence in sport. Child Abuse Rev. 2013; 22(4): 287-299.
- 28McHugh MC, Howard DE. Friendship at any cost: parent perspectives on cyberbullying children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. J Ment Health Res Intellect Disabil. 2017; 10(4): 288-308.
- 29 World Health Organization. WHO Definition: Intellectual Disability. 2014. http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/noncommunicable-diseases/mental-health/news/news/2010/15/childrens-right-to-family-life/definition-intellectual-disability
- 30Rose CA, Espelage DL, Aragon SR, Elliott J. Bullying and victimization among students in special education and general education curricula. Except Educ Int. 2011; 21(3): 2-14.
10.5206/eei.v21i3.7679 Google Scholar
- 31Rose CA, Simpson CG, Preast JL. Exploring psychosocial predictors of bullying involvement for students with disabilities. Remedial and Spec Educ. 2016; 37(5): 308-317.
- 32Yell ML, Katsiyannis A, Rose CA, Houchins DE. Bullying and harassment of students with disabilities in schools: legal considerations and policy formation. Remedial Spec Educ. 2016; 37(5): 274-284.
- 33Nowak CB. Recognition and prevention of child abuse in the child with disability. Am J Med Genet, Part C. 2015; 169(4): 293-301.
- 34Robinson S, Chenoweth L. Understanding emotional and psychological harm of people with intellectual disability: an evolving framework. J Adult Prot. 2012; 14: 110-121.
10.1108/14668201211236313 Google Scholar
- 35Darling A. Truth Project Thematic Report Child Sexual Abuse in Sports. International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children; 2020.
- 36McPherson L, Long M, Nicholson M, Cameron N, Atkins P, Morris ME. Secrecy surrounding the physical abuse of child athletes in Australia. Aust Soc Work. 2017; 70(1): 42-53.
- 37Grey-Thompson T. Duty of Care in Sport: Independent Report to Government. Department for Culture, Media & Sport; 2017.
- 38Araten-Bergman T, Bigby C. Violence prevention strategies for people with intellectual disabilities: a scoping review. Aust Soc Work. 2020; 76: 1-16.
- 39 Impact Report|U.S. Center for SafeSport; 2023.
- 40Wissink IB, van Vugt E, Moonen X, Stams GJ, Hendriks J. Sexual abuse involving children with an intellectual disability (ID): a narrative review. Res Dev Disabil. 2015; 36: 20-35.
- 41Wang KY. The care burden of families with members having intellectual and developmental disorder: a review of the recent literature. Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2012; 25(5): 348-352.
