Over a 5-year period, of 461 Connecticut cases of sexual abuse of adults with mental retardation, 37% were confirmed. Most of the victims (72%) were women, and most of the perpetrators (88%) were men who included other adults with mental retardation, paid staff, family members, and others. In 92% of cases, the victim knew the abuser. (Author/DB)

This article discusses a court case of an adolescent labeled retarded who was sexually assaulted. It examines implications of being spoken about and of others speaking for the labeled person. It then considers how a disability rights/People First framework could shift public and professional understandings and responses to human abuse. (Contains…