WEAVE

  1. For Disability Services Staff

  2. For Parents and Guardians

  3. Healthy Relationships Class

  4. Myths and Facts

WEAVE (Working to End Assault and Violence for Everybody) is a collaboration of service providers in Kent County that specialize in disability services and sexual violence advocacy.

The five collaboration organizations involved in creating WEAVE are the YWCA West Central Michigan, MOKA, Spectrum Community Services, Thresholds, and Hope Network Developmental and Community Services. In addition to the five WEAVE agencies, Pine Rest, public and family guardians, and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) participated in creating WEAVE resources.

The mission of WEAVE is to examine and enhance systems for serving individuals with I/DD to reduce the risk of sexual violence and to better serve and empower individuals with I/DD who have survived sexual assault/abuse.

Source: WEAVE Collaboration Charter, 2013.

For Disability Services Staff

Disability services staff can be the first person a victim turns to after they have experienced assault.

Disability service staff are important supports for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. However, in a needs assessment conducted by WEAVE, many staff members noted that they feel unequipped to respond to individuals who have experienced sexual assault.  Staff reported a great need for training around topics such as response to individuals who have experienced sexual assault or trauma, healthy relationships, and safe sexuality for people with disabilities.

To address this need, members of WEAVE collaborated to create a three-part series of training videos specifically for disability services staff. The goal of this training video series is to provide disability services staff with the knowledge and tools to identify and respond to sexual assault with a trauma-informed and Culture of Gentleness approach. Though these videos were created with disability services staff in mind, guardians, police officers, doctors, nurses, teachers, and others can also benefit from learning about the topics covered here.

If you have questions about these videos or about WEAVE training opportunities, please contact the WEAVE Program Manager, Savannah Thornton, LLMSW, at weave@ywcawcmi.org or (616)840-0575.

***Please be aware that these videos include descriptions of sexual violence. It is important that you take care of yourselves as you view them. In general, discussion of sexual assault and abuse can be difficult to hear and bring up painful memories. If you're not comfortable watching these videos, please talk to your supervisor or call the YWCA helpline at (616) 454-9922.

Click to download:
WEAVE - Video Discussion Guide

Part 1 of 3: An Overview of Sexual Assault

This video will:

  1. Define sexual assault.

  2. Describe dynamics relevant to the higher rates of sexual assault for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities than for those without disabilities.

  3. Identify grooming tactics.

Part 2 of 3: Understanding the Effects of Sexual Assault

This video will:

  1. Explain the lasting impact of sexual assault

  2. Describe the unsafe/unhealthy messages experienced by survivors of sexual assault

  3. Explain how trauma can result in our brain learning to be self-protective

  4. Describe how the WEAVE perspective provides guidance on how we can contribute to recovery for survivors

Part 3 of 3: Promoting Safety and Responding to Sexual Assault

This video will:

  1. Offer steps to becoming a safe person

  2. Describe ways to create a safe environment

  3. Identify tools for supporting survivors

  4. Provide guidelines for making a report

For Parents and Guardians

Parents and guardians are a vital support system for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Guardians in Kent County reported that they need more support to talk about human sexuality and sexual safety with the individuals with I/DD whom they serve. WEAVE created the resources on this page to help guardians and parents. Whether an individual is exploring a new romantic relationship, has a question about sexuality, or is in an unsafe relationship, guardians and parents can be the first to respond.

Our goal is to provide information on the topic of sexual assault and the nurse examiner program to parents, guardians, and caregivers of people with I/DD to ultimately reduce the risk of sexual assault and barriers to services if sexual assault does occur.

Guardian Toolkit - Supporting Survivors of Sexual Assault
End Abuse of People With Disabilities
Abused and Betrayed NPR Series

Healthy Relationships Class

What is the Healthy Relationships Class?
Healthy Relationships is a FREE 8-week class about relationships and sexual health for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who may have experienced adult or childhood sexual assault. The Healthy Relationships group will give you tools and skills to be safe and happy in your relationships.

Why should I join?

  • Meet new people

  • Practice communication skills

  • Play games

  • Learn new safety skills

  • Free Rapid and Go!Bus tickets

When is the Healthy Relationships Group?
Healthy Relationships Group happens multiple times a year. You can sign up for the class that is most convenient for you. Classes are available over Zoom and in person. Contact Savannah Thornton weave@ywcawcmi.org or (616)840-0575 for dates and times.

Who can sign up for Healthy Relationships?
Individuals (all genders) with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are 16 and older are welcome. This group welcomes people of any race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Savannah will schedule an initial meeting so she can get to know you more! Meetings do not have to be in person; they can be a phone call or a Zoom meeting.

Where is the Healthy Relationships Group?
In-person class: YWCA West Central Michigan (25 Sheldon Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI)
Online class: Zoom platform

How can I get there?
FREE Rapid and GO!Bus tickets can be provided when needed.

What will I learn about?

  • Trust & Safety

  • Feelings & Self-Care

  • Relationship Boundaries

  • Communication

  • Respectful touch

  • Healthy & Unhealthy Relationships

  • Dating Violence

  • Internet & Phone Safety

  • Private Body Parts

  • Sexual Health

Contact WEAVE for more information & to sign up:

Savannah Thornton, LLMSW
WEAVE Program Manager
(616)840-0575
weave@ywcawcmi.org

Myths and Facts

Myth: People with I/DD report sexual abuse to seek attention.
Fact: The vast majority of disclosures are true. If someone tells you they have been victimized, take it seriously and support them.

Myth: If an individual has a history of lying, it is best not to believe them if they tell a story about sexual abuse.
Fact: People who have a history of lying may be at higher risk for sexual violence because the sex offender can exploit the idea that nobody believes them. Someone can lie about things and still be abused.

Myth: Caregivers, parents, staff or other support people should not be involved in the discussion of, or education for the sexuality of the individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities whom they care for.
Fact: Talking about sexual assault is not about sexuality, it is about protecting against violence, or seeking services for recovery from violence.

Myth: If a person does not communicate in traditional ways, they can’t tell you that they have been sexually abused.
Fact: People can still disclose sexual harm or trauma. Watch the person’s body, face, emotions and behaviors for signs.

Myth: Perpetrators of sexual violence against people with I/DD are usually strangers to the person.
Fact: 97-99% of abusers are known to their victims. Unfortunately, sex offenders are often caregivers or family members (Balderian, 1991).

Source:
Balderian, N. (1991). Sexual abuse of people with developmental disabilities. Sexuality and Disability, 9(4), 323-335.