How to ask about suspected abuse

When asking about suspected abuse, the priority is to keep the person with developmental disability and yourself safe. ‘SSSafe’ approach to discussing abuse and trauma (the 3 Ss) outlines a safe and sensitive approach to asking about suspected abuse.

Be aware that your own experiences may impact your emotions and approach to asking people about abuse and trauma. People with developmental disability are naturally affected by anxiety when asked about abuse, or they begin to disclose abuse. This can include embarrassment, fear of being judged, the awkwardness of these being topics one rarely discusses, fear of confidentiality breaches and not feeling like it is relevant to their care. For considerations when discussing suspected abuse, see Considerations when discussing suspected abuse with a person with developmental disability.

If a person has communication difficulties, specific communication techniques may need to be adopted to ask about suspected abuse; see Communicating with people with developmental disability.

Figure 1. ‘SSSafe’ approach to discussing abuse and trauma (the 3 Ss)

Safety as a priority

Ensure you and the person with developmental disability can talk privately, or, if more appropriate, with safe people present (eg other clinical staff, case worker or advocate); consider the safety of yourself, the person and others involved during and after the discussion.

Sympathetic, sensitive and nonstigmatising

Consider the sensitivity of information and experiences being discussed, and ensure discussion is conducted in a sympathetic manner, using an open-ended, nonjudgemental approach for both the person and their caregivers.

Standardised, systematic practice

Make screening for abuse and trauma routine by including it as part of a comprehensive health assessment for all people with developmental disability.

Figure 2. Considerations when discussing suspected abuse with a person with developmental disability

Suspected abuse can be discussed more easily with a person with developmental disability if the following issues are considered and addressed with the use of reasonable adjustments (eg communication aids, accessible information) as needed:

  • address confidentiality concerns
  • ask permission to discuss the subject (eg start with questions like ‘Would it be alright with you if I asked you some questions about…’)
  • normalise the discussion (eg use statements like ‘Many people find it difficult to talk about their sexual concerns…’)
  • use transparency, when appropriate and safe to do so (eg explain why you are asking the questions and be open about your reasons)
  • give the option of not answering a question
  • ask for facts rather than judgements
  • ask in specific rather than general terms.