The Prevalence and Correlates of Partner Violence Used and Experienced by Adults with Intellectual Disabilities: A Systematic Review and Call to Action

It has been suggested that individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) are at increased risk of violence perpetration and victimisation. A systematic review was undertaken to identify and critically evaluate the existing empirical research concerning the use and experience of partner violence by adults with ID. In total six poor-quality articles were identified, five of which adopted qualitative methods, and one of which adopted a mixed methods approach, comprising a total of 93 participants (48 women, 45 men: one perpetrator, 92 victims). The qualitative data were extracted from the studies and synthesised. A partner violence victimisation rate of 60%, was identified in one non-representative sample. Two superordinate themes emerged from the qualitative data: Nature of partner violence experience, and Help-seeking. Children was a cross-cutting theme within the two superordinate themes. Participants reported experiencing a range of physical, emotional and sexual violence leading to serious injury and psychological consequences. Participants reported experiences of positive and negative help seeking reactions from professionals, and specific requirements of services for victims with intellectual disability. Children were identified as involved in the experience of abuse, the impact of abuse and decisions to seek help. The findings indicate that training of clinical staff to detect partner violence is needed. In addition, adults with ID need education concerning healthy relationships. Research is needed to better understand the difference between ‘challenging behaviour’ that is behaviour displayed by an individual which challenges services, family members and carers. Such behaviour is more common in individuals with a severe intellectual disability for whom it would not be appropriate to be dealt with through the criminal justice system, and partner violence, in order to develop appropriate interventions for perpetrators with ID.