A Silent Epidemic of Abuse

Born with cerebral palsy, Elizabeth Schultz is one of those persons with disabilities whose life has been affected by “the silent epidemic” of abuse.

For much of her childhood, members of her family sexually abused her, causing pain that has taken many years of intense therapy and prayer to heal, Schultz recently told a lunch group at the Grand Rapids office of the Christian Reformed Church.

“There is no denying this isn’t an easy topic to speak about, let alone listen to,” said Schultz, whose condition impacts her speech and movement.

Before telling her story, Schultz began by asking members of the audience if they knew someone who has a disability. “If so, chances are pretty good that you know someone who has been abused,” she said.

According to the  2012 National Survey on Abuse and People with Disabilities, more than 70 percent of the people who took the survey reported they had been victims of abuse, said Schultz.

Also, more than 63 percent of parents and family members reported that their loved one with a disability had experienced abuse.

“How can we ignore such an epidemic?” she asked. “Easily;  it’s a silent one. Among people with disabilities who reported they had been victims of abuse, only 37.3 percent said they had reported it to authorities.”

Even when authorities were alerted, arrests were only made about 10 percent of the time, she said.

The national survey on abuse was the first of its kind, involving some 7,289 people who took the online survey during May through October 2012.  

Joining the 1,249 people with disabilities who took the survey were 2,501 of their family members,  1,106 administrators of agencies that provide services to people with disabilities, and 1,234 advocates. Hundreds of protective services workers, therapists, and law enforcement personnel also responded to the survey.

In her own case, Schultz failed to report the abuse out of fear no one would believe her. In addition, she was not sure where to report it. And she was scared about how members of her family would react if she spoke out.

Given that she was so dependent on them for her care, she feared alerting someone to the abuse might put that care in jeopardy.

In addition, because she is disabled, it’s likely she was viewed as especially powerless by her perpetrators, said Schultz.

“In my case, the abuse was severe and went on until I was able to go college,” she said.

While she loved college and the freedom it offered, the abuse she had undergone at home had a terrible grip on her. She tried to reconnect and seek a level of reconciliation with her family.

But it was to no avail. No one in her home would hear what she had to say.

Rejected and feeling alone, she eventually reached a point at which she no longer wanted to live.

She didn’t give up, though. She persevered, getting help through several years of counseling, Schultz said.

“Towards the end of my counseling my therapist shared with me that my story was one of the most horrific that he has worked with,” she recalled. “Then he went on to say that I had come farther than he ever thought possible.”

An important part of her healing, she said, has come through forgiveness. Early on, she she didn’t want to hear about the topic.

“I always figured those who made it an issue had no comprehension of the pain and shame that I felt. Also, I thought I had to understand it in my brain and be okay with all of it before I forgave,” she said.

It wasn’t until she read the book The Shack by William P. Young that Elizabeth understood forgiveness and forgave her family. The book is the story about Mack, a man who grew up in an abusive home and whose daughter is kidnapped, causing him much grief and questioning until he has an encounter with God.

God makes it clear to Mack how important it is to forgive.

“I’ve learned that no matter how bad a situation, or dark a place, in God’s timing he makes all things beautiful,” said Schultz.

“Forgiveness has set me free, but in my case it doesn’t include restoration because relationships with these people (members of her family) are toxic.”

Schultz is a member of Faith Christian Reformed Church in Holland, Mich., where she served as an administrative deacon until last year. Faith is a church where, she says, she has felt especially welcomed.

“When I joined Faith, a body of believers truly understood me. I have real friends who are my age.

“This shift became clear one Sunday evening when Pastor Jim (Boer) told me that I had been nominated to be an administrative deacon.

“At that moment, I knew that I had been blessed with a church family that ‘got it.’ I may not be able to do everything physically that most other people can, but I can do ministry.”

Schultz is a part-time instructor for Ottawa County Community Mental Health, teaching county employees about working with people with disabilities. She also helps in a ministry for persons with disabilities that has started at her church.

Schulz asks any group interested in hearing her talk to send her an email: [email protected].