Freedom from financial abuse: persons with intellectual disability discuss protective strategies aimed at empowerment and supported decision-making

Abstract

This study explores the topic of abuse through the involvement of persons with intellectual disability residing in Malta, in order to evaluate legislation and practices related to their rights to be free of financial abuse. This study is based on principles of emancipatory research and aims to enhance collaboration between the participants and the researcher, as well as promoting empowerment. Seven participants were recruited to participate in five workshop sessions which sessions were used to collect participants’ feedback and opinions. The findings of this study indicate that the implementation of rights is not always efficiently and easily practiced. Whilst control of personal finances and involvement in decision-making were significant concepts reported by the participants, this study also suggests that power relations in the lives of persons with intellectual disability are a major concern. The balancing of power relations, self-advocacy and self-determination are identified as ways how to address financial abuse.

Points of interest

• Persons with intellectual disability are likely to experience various types of abuse throughout their life, including financial abuse.

• The participants with intellectual disability in this study experience a considerable amount of control and are ordered around by non-disabled persons.

• When persons with intellectual disability do not have control over their lives, they find it harder to live independently and to learn how to protect themselves from abuse.

• When persons with intellectual disability speak up for themselves, make their own decisions, gain information to understand things better and are aware of their rights, they have a better chance of remaining in control of their lives and of learning how to protect themselves.

• This article suggests that increasing control and independence in the lives of persons with intellectual disability can prevent financial abuse.

Keywords:

• Financial abuse
• prevention
• empowerment
• rights
• self-protection

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.