Disabled Persons Protection Commission

Building Partnerships for the Protection of Persons with Disabilities

Publications

New Bill Targets Sexual Exploitation Of Elders and Persons with Disabilities

Massachusetts State House House Bill 1688, drafted by the legislative committee of the coalition called Building Partnerships for the Protection of Persons with Disabilities Initiative, addresses the disturbing issue of caretakers who photograph/film elders and persons with disabilities in sexually explicit situations against their will, and distribute such visual material. This narrowly-tailored bill targets only (1) the sexual exploitation of court-adjudicated, legally incompetent elders and persons with disabilities and (2) the sexual exploitation of legally competent elders and persons with disabilities who do not consent to being photographed in a sexually explicit manner and to the distribution of such materials.

Representative Kathi-Anne Reinstein, a champion of elders and persons with disabilities, is the chief sponsor of the bill.

This bill focuses on non-consensual sexual exploitation, and does nothing to criminalize consensual sexual activity between competent adults.

More information and to view the bill language >>

DPPC Hotline

Each year thousands of persons with disabilities are abused, neglected and exploited by family members, caregivers and others across Massachusetts. Many victims are people who are vulnerable and depend on others to meet their most basic needs.

The Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC) is an independent state agency whose purpose is to investigate and remediate cases of abuse of the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable citizens. DPPC’s mission is to protect adults with disabilities from the abusive acts or omissions of their caregivers through investigation, oversight, public awareness and prevention. In 2007, DPPC’s hotline received 7485 calls to report abuse and deaths of persons with disabilities as well as 7362 additional information and referral calls, raising the total of calls for the year to 14,847.

To report abuse, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 1-800-426-9009.