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.

摘要

本研究通过居住在马耳他的智障人士的参与探讨了虐待问题，以评估与其免受经济虐待的权利相关的立法和实践。本研究基于解放性研究的原则，旨在加强参与者和研究人员之间的合作，以及促进赋权。七名参与者被招募参加五个研讨会会议，这些会议用于收集参与者的反馈和意见。这项研究的结果表明，权利的实施并不总是有效和容易的。虽然控制个人财务和参与决策是参与者报告的重要概念，这项研究还表明，智力残疾者生活中的权力关系是一个主要问题。权力关系、自我倡导和自决的平衡被认为是解决财务滥用问题的方法。

• 兴趣点

• 智障人士在其一生中可能会经历各种类型的虐待，包括经济虐待。

• 本研究中的智障参与者经历了相当多的控制，并被非残疾人命令。

• 当智障人士无法控制自己的生活时，他们会发现更难独立生活并学习如何保护自己免受虐待。

• 当智障人士为自己发声、做出自己的决定、获得信息以更好地理解事物并意识到自己的权利时，他们就有更好的机会控制自己的生活并学习如何保护自己。

• 这篇文章表明，增强智障人士生活中的控制力和独立性可以防止经济滥用。