Be Safe Resource Collection
Individuals with disabilities have a long history of mistreatment, abuse and devaluation. Recent reports indicate individuals with developmental disabilities experience sexual abuse at a rate seven times higher than their non-disabled peers. However, this has been a topic that has received little attention over the years, leading to a significant lack of information and resources for both individuals with disabilities and communities who support them. Fortunately, many of the factors that contribute to the high rates of abuse and exploitation of individuals with disabilities can be prevented when the appropriate knowledge and resources are available.
In response to these recent statistics, ASERT has partnered with researchers at the National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center at the Medical University of South Carolina. The Be Safe Resource Collection will be comprised of infographics, social stories, eLearning courses and other resource materials focused on the prevention of sexual abuse as well as intervention strategies to support individuals who experience abuse.
Prevention Resources
These resources are designed to provide information and tips on how to prevent sexual abuse and assault in individuals with autism. There are general resources that are appropriate for all ages and developmental levels, as well as specific resources for caregivers, professionals and individuals with autism.
Be Safe: General Prevention Resources
These resources, part of the Be Safe resource collection focused on preventing sexual abuse and assault and supporting individuals who may have experienced sexual abuse or assault, contains general information about how to prevent sexual abuse or assault. Topics include identifying and reporting abuse in children, signs of abuse, risk and protective factors, educating about abuse, why abuse isn't always reported and pathways to victimization.
View ResourceBe Safe: Prevention Resources for Individuals with Autism
These resources, part of the Be Safe Resource collection, provides general information about how to prevent sexual abuse and assault for individuals with autism. These resources are specifically designed for individuals with autism and focus on: what is sexual abuse, how to stay safe, body awareness and body safety, understanding touch and staying safe,
View ResourceBe Safe: Prevention Resources for Caregivers
These resources, part of the Be Safe Resource collection, provides general information about how to prevent sexual abuse and assault for caregivers. These resources are specifically designed for caregivers and focus on: talking to children about puberty, sex and sexuality, teaching community safety skills, teaching sexual health and safety, institutional abuse, and grooming.
View ResourceBe Safe: Prevention Resources for Professionals
These resources, part of the Be Safe Resource collection, provides general information about how to prevent sexual abuse and assault for professionals. These resources are specifically designed for professionals and focus on: teaching personal safety, teaching self-determination and relationship building skills, and screening for abuse.
View ResourceIntervention Resources
These resources are designed to provide information and tips on how to provide support to individuals with autism who may have experienced sexual abuse or assault. There are general resources that are appropriate for all ages and developmental levels, as well as specific resources for caregivers, professionals and individuals with autism.
Be Safe: General Intervention Resources
These resources are designed to provide information and tips on how to provide support to individuals with autism who may have experienced sexual abuse or assault. There are general resources that are appropriate for all ages and developmental levels, as well as specific resources for caregivers, professionals and individuals with autism.
View ResourceBe Safe: Intervention Resources for Individuals with Autism
These resources are designed to provide information and tips on how to provide support to individuals with autism who may have experienced sexual abuse or assault. There are general resources that are appropriate for all ages and developmental levels, as well as specific resources for caregivers, professionals and individuals with autism.
View ResourceBe Safe: Intervention Resources for Caregivers
These resources are designed to provide information and tips on how to provide support to individuals with autism who may have experienced sexual abuse or assault. There are general resources that are appropriate for all ages and developmental levels, as well as specific resources for caregivers, professionals and individuals with autism.
View ResourceBe Safe: Intervention Resources for Professionals
These resources are designed to provide information and tips on how to provide support to individuals with autism who may have experienced sexual abuse or assault. There are general resources that are appropriate for all ages and developmental levels, as well as specific resources for caregivers, professionals and individuals with autism.
View ResourceSocial Stories and Visual Resources
These resources are a combination of social stories and visual resources that can be used to teach various concepts related to the prevention and intervention of abuse and sexual abuse for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities. These resources can be used alone, or in conjunction with the one page resources listed above.
General Community Safety
Be Safe: Public and Private Places Social Story
This resource, part of the Be Safe resource collection, is a social story explaining the difference between public and private places, as well as behaviors that are okay in each setting.
View ResourceBe Safe: Home Safety Social Story
This resource, part of the Be Safe resource collection, is a social story explaining ways to stay safe when at home.
View ResourceBe Safe: Community Safety Social Story
This resource, part of the Be Safe resource collection, is a social story for individuals with autism to help explain and teach ways for them to stay safe when they are out in the community.
View ResourceBe Safe: Right to Be Safe Social Story
This resource, part of the Be Safe resource collection focused on the prevention of sexual abuse and assault, provides information about an individual's right to be safe.
View ResourceBe Safe: Using a Urinal Social Story
This resource, part of the Be Safe resource collection, is a social story that explains some of the unspoken social rules around using a urinal in a men's bathroom.
View ResourceRelationship and Sex Education Materials
Be Safe: Relationships Social Story, Parts 1-6
This resource, part of the Be Safe resource collection focused on the prevention of sexual abuse and assault, provides information on different types of relationships such as friendships, family relationships, romantic relationships, strangers and acquaintances.
View ResourceBe Safe: Consensual Touch Social Story
This resource, part of the Be Safe resource collection focused on the prevention of sexual abuse and assault, provides information on consensual touch in a visual format.
View ResourceBe Safe: Explaining Sex and Sexual Behaviors Social Story
This resource, part of the Be Safe resource collection focused on the prevention of sexual abuse and assault, explains sex and different sexual behaviors for individuals in a visual format.
View ResourceBe Safe: Healthy vs Unhealthy Relationships Social Story
This resource, part of the Be Safe resource collection, is a social story that explains some of the differences in a healthy relationship compared to an unhealthy relationship.
View ResourceBe Safe: Rules for My Body Social Story
This resource, part of the Be Safe resource collection focused on the prevention of sexual abuse and assault, provides information on rules for individuals bodies to help keep them safe.
View ResourceBe Safe: Who Should Help Me in the Bathroom Social Story
This resource, part of the Be Safe resource collection, is a social story that explains who should help an individual if they need assistance in the bathroom, and how they should provide that help.
View ResourceBe Safe: What are Private Parts
This resource, part of the Be Safe resource collection focused on the prevention of sexual abuse and assault, is a visual diagram that shows what are considered private parts for males and females.
View ResourceBe Safe: Understanding Private Parts Social Story
This resource, part of the Be Safe resource collection, is a social story explaining private parts and when it's okay for other people to see or touch private parts.
View ResourceTeaching About Abuse
Be Safe: What is Sexual Abuse (Children) Social Story
This resource, part of the Be Safe resource collection, is a social story for children to help explain what sexual abuse means.
View ResourceBe Safe: What is Sexual Abuse (Adults) Social Story
This resource, part of the Be Safe resource collection, is a social story for adults with autism.
View ResourceBe Safe: Abusive Behaviors Social Story
These resources, part of the Be Safe resource collection, are social stories that provide information for individuals with autism on what are abusive behaviors, including physical abuse.
View ResourceBe Safe: What is Trauma Social Story
This resource, part of the Be Safe resource collection focused on the prevention of sexual abuse and assault, provides information in a visual format on what is trauma.
View ResourceBe Safe: What is Neglect Social Story
This resource, part of the Be Safe resource collection focused on the prevention of sexual abuse and assault, provides information about neglect in a visual format.
View ResourceBe Safe: Why Do People Abuse Others Social Story
This resource, part of the Be Safe collection, is a social story that explains some of the reasons why people abuse other people.
View ResourceTalking About Abuse
Be Safe: Telling About Sexual Abuse Social Story for Adults, Part 1-3
This resource, part of the Be Safe collection, is a series of social stories focused on how individuals with autism can talk about and tell others if they have been sexually abused or assaulted.
View ResourceBe Safe: Telling About Sexual Abuse Social Story for Children, Parts 1-3
These resources, part of the Be Safe resource collection, are a series of social stories for children to help them know when and how to tell a parent or trusted adult if they have been sexually abused.
View ResourceBe Safe: Saying No Social Story
This resource, part of the Be Safe resource collection, is a social story showing individuals with autism how to say "no" if someone is touching them. This resource can be used to educate individuals on how to keep themselves safe, as well as help to prevent an individual who has already experienced sexual abuse or assault from being victimized again.
View ResourceBe Safe: When I’m Uncomfortable Social Story, Parts 1-2
These resources, part of the Be Safe resource collection focused on the prevention of sexual abuse and assault, is a series of social stories that provides information for individuals with autism on recognizing when they are in a situation that makes them feel uncomfortable, and what they can do in that situation to make themselves safe.
View ResourceBe Safe: Secrets – When Should You Tell Social Story
This resource, part of the Be Safe resource collection focused on the prevention of sexual abuse and assault, provides information about different types of secrets and when keeping them can be dangerous.
View ResourceDealing with Sexual Abuse
Be Safe: Coping with Abuse Social Story
This resource, part of the Be Safe resource collection, provides tips and suggestions for individuals with autism on how they can cope with the feelings they may experience if they have been abused.
View ResourceBe Safe: Flashbacks and Intrusive Thoughts Social Story
This resource, part of the Be Safe collection, is a social story for individuals with autism that explains flashbacks and intrusive thoughts that may happen after experiencing sexual abuse and assault, as well as ways to cope with those thoughts.
View ResourceBe Safe: Recognizing Negative Emotions Social Story
This resource, part of the Be Safe collection, is a social story that helps explain different negative emotions people may feel, and how you can recognize those emotions.
View ResourceBe Safe: Treatment for Sexual Abuse and Assault Social Story, Parts 1-4
These resources, part of the Be Safe resource collection, are a series of social stories that explain the different types of treatment that are available for individuals with autism who have experienced sexual abuse or assault. Treatment options include Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
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