Reporting and Supporting: Approaching Mandated Reporting with Care for People with Disabilities
By Cyndy Milstead Anzek, MA, CRC, CVE, CLCP
Director of South Carolina, Walton Options
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month – a time to raise awareness, support survivors, and strengthen our collective response to violence. While the national conversation around sexual violence has grown, one group still faces higher risks and far too few protections: people with disabilities.
At Walton Options for Independent Living, we believe everyone deserves to live with dignity, safety, and respect. But the statistics reveal a harsh reality: people with disabilities are at least two to three times more likely to experience sexual assault than people without disabilities (U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics).
These are not just numbers — they are lives. Survivors with disabilities often face unique barriers to reporting, including communication limitations, fear of losing essential support, or concerns they won’t be believed. More than 70% of people with disabilities who are sexually assaulted never report it (The Arc, 2018).
This is where mandated reporters come in. Teachers, social workers, healthcare providers, and disability advocates all have a legal duty to report suspected abuse. But this is also a moral responsibility — one that must be approached with care, communication, and compassion.
Reporting alone is not enough. The way we report matters. For people with disabilities — particularly those who rely on others for care, transportation, or housing — the wrong approach can cause further harm. A rushed or insensitive response can retraumatize survivors or discourage them from seeking help again.
That’s why our approach must be:
- Trauma-informed — centered on safety and trust
- Accessible — using plain language, AAC devices, or visual aids if needed
- Supportive — involving the individual in the process whenever possible
- Respectful — of autonomy, communication preferences, and emotional needs
The reality is even more stark for women with developmental disabilities: as many as 83% will experience sexual assault in their lifetime (National Center on Elder Abuse /
Disability and Abuse Project). Many of these assaults are committed by individuals the person knows and relies on, such as caregivers or transportation providers (National Sexual Violence Resource Center).
We must do better. Mandated reporting is not just a checkmark on a form — it is a lifeline. One that, when done correctly, can change the course of a life and restore a sense of justice, empowerment, and safety.
Let’s break the silence. Let’s believe survivors. Let’s equip every mandated reporter with the tools they need to recognize signs of abuse and respond with empathy.
At Walton Options, we’re proud to provide education, resources, and a voice for those who are often left unheard. But this work requires all of us.
If you suspect abuse, report it. If you don’t know how, ask. If someone trusts you enough to share their story, believe them.
Together, we can create a world where people with disabilities are seen, heard, protected, and empowered. Not just in April, but every single day.