Results

Every year, the DPPC receives thousands of abuse reports. These reports are maintained and tracked using an extensive computer database. In the DPPC database, over 500 pieces of information related to each report are maintained. The information ranges from basic demographic information regarding the people involved, including the victim, to specific information about the site of the alleged abuse and other factors that may have contributed to the abuse. The DPPC tracks different types of injury, and information about whether an injury was caused by abuse or neglect. In addition to the hundreds of other categories, the DPPC tracks whether the alleged abuse or neglect reported represents a crime. Information in the database is analyzed continually in an effort to identify potential preventative measures to be implemented and/or, trends and systemic challenges needing attention. A portion of the data has been calculated and provided for review.

Since the implementation of the MOU reporting protocol and training, and as the Commonwealth's primary point of access for the reporting of abuse of adults with disabilities, DPPC has experienced dramatic growth in the number of complaints it receives. In fiscal year 2006, DPPC received 5,989 abuse reports. This is a 63% increase from fiscal year 1999 when DPPC received 3,984 abuse reports.

The SPDU assigned to DPPC reviews 100% of all abuse reports to DPPC’s 24 hour Hotline to determine which ones constitute criminal activity. Reports identified as criminal are referred to the applicable District Attorney’s office. As defined in each Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) established in each of the elven district attorney jurisditctions, the SPDU assigned to DPPC, the state police liasisons within each of the the eleven district attorneys’ offices and the municipal police are assigned to investigate crimes against persons with disabilities as determined bt the ditrstict attorney. The SPDU at DPPC tracks the criinal investigation from intake to indictment on a statewide basis and analyzes the types of crimes involved in the abuse reports reveived by the DPPC Hotline. The information tracked includes, but is not limited to, the type of criminal activity, location of criminal activity, investigating officer and criminal charges brought.

Within Fiscal Year 2006 the SPDU reviewed 5989 allegations of abuse. Of the 5989 reports reviewed, 726 or 12.1% were referred to the District Attorneys for the assignment of the criminal investigation.

The graph below depicts the number of abuse reports that were investigated criminally in addition to the number of criminal charges filed from Fiscal Year 1997 through Fiscal Year 2006.

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The graph below is a breakdown by county of number of reports received by the DPPC Hotline, reports meeting the jurisdiction for 19C investigation, and number of reports referred to the District Attorney for investigation.

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The SPDU assigned to DPPC tracks the types of crimes involved in the abuse reports received by the DPPC Hotline. The chart below presents the types of criminal activity reported during Fiscal Year 2006. Consistently, a significant percentage of the criminal activity is sexual in nature.

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Reporting Increase

There has been an increase in the report of incidents of domestic violence involving persons with disabilities. Domestic violence is abuse that often takes place where the person lives. Domestic violence can be any type of abuse including sexual assault and rape, emotional, psychological or financial. Domestic violence involves family and household members who are or were married, living together, related by blood, parents of a common child or involved in a substantive dating relationship. During Fiscal Year 2006, it was determined that 187 reports made to the DPPC Hotline involved domestic violence abuse. These reports require the State Police Detective Unit to notify law enforcement immediately to ensure the safety of the individuals involved and assist in the issuance of restraining orders and criminal prosecution of offenders if warranted.

These statistics do not necessarily indicate that abuse and crimes committed against persons with disabilities are increasing, rather the system is doing a better job recognizing abuse committed against persons with disabilities. The benefits are obvious - common goals and objectives; immediate action by the police and other agencies; immediate and effective communication preventing duplication; a network of consistent support and follow-up for the protection of persons with disabilities; reduction in the number of interviews of a victim; coordination between the state police, DPPC, service providing agencies and other law enforcement agencies; enhanced integrity, reliability and effectiveness of investigations and decision making; streamlined and increased referrals for criminal investigation and increased arrest and prosecution rates.

The Building Partnerships initiative has changed the way Massachusetts responds to crimes committed against persons with disabilities. It has afforded persons with disabilities equal access to the criminal justice system and the same protections and rights as the public at large. There is no doubt that this multidisciplinary initiative enhances the safety and well-being of persons with disabilities and provides the groundwork for effective prevention strategies. The Building Partnerships initiative provides victims with disabilities the protection and services they need to pursue safe and healthy lives and enables communities to hold offenders criminally accountable for their violence.

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