GITNUXREPORT 2026

Disability Crime Statistics

People with disabilities face dramatically higher rates of violent crime than others.

Alexander Schmidt

Research Analyst specializing in technology and digital transformation trends.

First published: Feb 27, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking · Reputable sources · Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

Disabled offenders comprise 20% of prison population despite 13% general pop

Statistic 2

Arrest rates for disabled: 1.5x higher for minor offenses

Statistic 3

Conviction rate disparity: disabled defendants 25% less likely to be acquitted

Statistic 4

Only 5% of police have disability training

Statistic 5

Disabled victims report to police: 33% vs 45% non-disabled

Statistic 6

Solitary confinement: 50% of disabled inmates experience it

Statistic 7

Diversion programs: only 10% of eligible disabled offenders diverted

Statistic 8

Court accommodations: 40% of cases lack for disabled

Statistic 9

Recidivism for mentally ill offenders: 67% within 1 year

Statistic 10

Wrongful convictions: 25% involve intellectual disabilities

Statistic 11

Police use of force: 3x higher on disabled suspects

Statistic 12

Plea bargaining coercion: 60% for disabled defendants

Statistic 13

Prison healthcare denial: 70% of disabled inmates affected

Statistic 14

Miranda rights comprehension: 50% failure in intellectually disabled

Statistic 15

Parole denial: 2x for disabled offenders

Statistic 16

Victim services access: 20% for disabled complainants

Statistic 17

Prosecutor dismissals: 35% higher for disability-motivated crimes

Statistic 18

Sentencing enhancements ignored in 40% disability hate cases

Statistic 19

Guardianship abuse leads to 15% wrongful arrests

Statistic 20

Disabled juveniles: 30% higher detention rates

Statistic 21

49% of disabled women experienced sexual violence in lifetime vs 25% non-disabled

Statistic 22

Disabled women 2-3 times more likely to be sexually assaulted by caregivers

Statistic 23

70-89% of women with intellectual disabilities sexually assaulted in lifetime

Statistic 24

Children with disabilities: 4x risk of sexual abuse

Statistic 25

30% of disabled adults report unwanted sexual contact annually

Statistic 26

Deaf women: 40% lifetime sexual assault rate vs 17% general

Statistic 27

Mental illness disability: 25% sexual victimization rate yearly

Statistic 28

Physical disability women: 37% report coercive sex

Statistic 29

Autism females: 3x sexual violence risk

Statistic 30

Institutional sexual abuse: 25% of disabled residents affected

Statistic 31

Online sexual exploitation: disabled youth 2x vulnerable

Statistic 32

Repeat sexual victimization: 60% for disabled women

Statistic 33

Male disabled sexual assault: 15% lifetime

Statistic 34

Visual impairment sexual abuse: 20% higher reporting

Statistic 35

Mobility impaired: 28% sexual harassment rate

Statistic 36

Intellectual disability males: 25% abused

Statistic 37

Elderly disabled sexual abuse: 14% in care settings

Statistic 38

PTSD post-sexual assault: 80% in disabled victims

Statistic 39

Reporting sexual assault: only 10% by disabled due to barriers

Statistic 40

Poverty rate among disabled crime victims: 28% vs 10% general

Statistic 41

Unemployment among disabled victims: 45% post-victimization

Statistic 42

Homelessness: 20% of disabled crime victims become homeless

Statistic 43

Low-income disabled: 3x victimization risk

Statistic 44

Rural disabled: 1.8x higher crime exposure due to isolation

Statistic 45

Education level: <HS diploma disabled victims 2.5x more

Statistic 46

Public assistance recipients with disability: 40% victimized

Statistic 47

Housing instability: 35% correlation with repeat victimization

Statistic 48

Food insecurity: 50% in disabled victim households

Statistic 49

Medical debt post-crime: 60% for uninsured disabled

Statistic 50

Employment discrimination post-victimization: 55%

Statistic 51

Income loss: average $15,000/year for disabled survivors

Statistic 52

Single-parent disabled households: 4x poverty-crime link

Statistic 53

Minority disabled: 2.2x socioeconomic vulnerability

Statistic 54

Veteran disabled: 25% higher crime-poverty cycle

Statistic 55

Substance abuse comorbidity: 40% in low-SES disabled victims

Statistic 56

Transport barriers: 70% limit escape from high-crime areas

Statistic 57

Digital divide: 30% less reporting due to no internet

Statistic 58

Childcare costs: exacerbate 25% poverty in disabled families

Statistic 59

Insurance gaps: 18% of disabled in poverty-crime nexus

Statistic 60

Simple assault accounted for 68% of violent crimes against disabled persons in 2017

Statistic 61

Aggravated assault rate for disabled: 4.2 per 1,000 vs 1.5 non-disabled

Statistic 62

Robbery victimization: disabled 2.1 per 1,000, non-disabled 1.3

Statistic 63

12% of disabled victims experienced rape/sexual assault

Statistic 64

Property crimes against disabled households: 15% higher incidence

Statistic 65

Domestic violence: 41% of disabled women victims from intimate partners

Statistic 66

Bullying/harassment: 63% lifetime for disabled youth

Statistic 67

Physical abuse in care facilities: 15-28% prevalence among disabled residents

Statistic 68

Street crime victimization: disabled pedestrians 3x more targeted

Statistic 69

Theft from disabled persons: 22% of reported crimes

Statistic 70

Vandalism against disability aids: 8% of property crimes

Statistic 71

Hate crimes targeting disability: 20.8% of single-bias incidents in 2020

Statistic 72

Assault with weapon: 5.1 per 1,000 for disabled

Statistic 73

Unarmed assault: 52 per 1,000 disabled victims

Statistic 74

Threats of violence: 18% of incidents against disabled

Statistic 75

Completed rape: 1.2 per 1,000 disabled females

Statistic 76

Attempted assault: 6.3 per 1,000

Statistic 77

Purse snatching/pocket picking: 4.5 per 1,000 disabled

Statistic 78

Persons with disabilities experienced violent victimization at a rate of 58.7 per 1,000 persons age 12 or older, compared to 21.8 per 1,000 for persons without disabilities in 2017

Statistic 79

From 2016-2017, the violent victimization rate for persons with disabilities was 40 victimizations per 1,000, more than twice the rate of 16 per 1,000 for non-disabled persons

Statistic 80

Adults with developmental disabilities are 4 to 10 times more likely to be victims of violent crime than those without disabilities

Statistic 81

People with intellectual disabilities face a lifetime risk of victimization 4 times higher than the general population

Statistic 82

In 2019, disabled individuals reported 1.3 million violent victimizations

Statistic 83

Violent crime rate against disabled persons aged 12+ was 23.4 per 1,000 in 2016-2019 average

Statistic 84

Females with disabilities had a violent victimization rate of 32.1 per 1,000 vs 18.5 for non-disabled females

Statistic 85

Males with disabilities: 25.3 per 1,000 violent victimizations vs 12.4 for non-disabled males

Statistic 86

Disabled youth (12-17) had 2.4 times higher violent victimization rate than non-disabled peers

Statistic 87

Elderly disabled (65+) experienced 15.2 per 1,000 violent victimizations vs 4.5 non-disabled

Statistic 88

Physical disability holders had 62% higher victimization rate than cognitive disability holders

Statistic 89

25% of disabled persons reported multiple victimizations annually

Statistic 90

Autism spectrum individuals have 2.4 times risk of violent assault

Statistic 91

Deaf individuals report crime victimization rates 2-3 times higher

Statistic 92

Mobility impaired: 35 per 1,000 victimization rate

Statistic 93

Mental health disability: 48.2 per 1,000 violent rate

Statistic 94

Visual impairment: 28.9 per 1,000

Statistic 95

Hearing impairment: 22.1 per 1,000

Statistic 96

Self-care disability: 41.5 per 1,000

Statistic 97

Going out disability: 55.3 per 1,000

1/97

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While it's a statistic often shrouded in silence, a person with a disability is more than twice as likely to be violently victimized, revealing a stark and persistent crisis of violence that demands our collective attention.

Key Takeaways

Persons with disabilities experienced violent victimization at a rate of 58.7 per 1,000 persons age 12 or older, compared to 21.8 per 1,000 for persons without disabilities in 2017
From 2016-2017, the violent victimization rate for persons with disabilities was 40 victimizations per 1,000, more than twice the rate of 16 per 1,000 for non-disabled persons
Adults with developmental disabilities are 4 to 10 times more likely to be victims of violent crime than those without disabilities
Simple assault accounted for 68% of violent crimes against disabled persons in 2017
Aggravated assault rate for disabled: 4.2 per 1,000 vs 1.5 non-disabled
Robbery victimization: disabled 2.1 per 1,000, non-disabled 1.3
49% of disabled women experienced sexual violence in lifetime vs 25% non-disabled
Disabled women 2-3 times more likely to be sexually assaulted by caregivers
70-89% of women with intellectual disabilities sexually assaulted in lifetime
Disabled offenders comprise 20% of prison population despite 13% general pop
Arrest rates for disabled: 1.5x higher for minor offenses
Conviction rate disparity: disabled defendants 25% less likely to be acquitted
Poverty rate among disabled crime victims: 28% vs 10% general
Unemployment among disabled victims: 45% post-victimization
Homelessness: 20% of disabled crime victims become homeless

People with disabilities face dramatically higher rates of violent crime than others.

Criminal Justice Outcomes

Disabled offenders comprise 20% of prison population despite 13% general pop
Arrest rates for disabled: 1.5x higher for minor offenses
Conviction rate disparity: disabled defendants 25% less likely to be acquitted
Only 5% of police have disability training
Disabled victims report to police: 33% vs 45% non-disabled
Solitary confinement: 50% of disabled inmates experience it
Diversion programs: only 10% of eligible disabled offenders diverted
Court accommodations: 40% of cases lack for disabled
Recidivism for mentally ill offenders: 67% within 1 year
Wrongful convictions: 25% involve intellectual disabilities
Police use of force: 3x higher on disabled suspects
Plea bargaining coercion: 60% for disabled defendants
Prison healthcare denial: 70% of disabled inmates affected
Miranda rights comprehension: 50% failure in intellectually disabled
Parole denial: 2x for disabled offenders
Victim services access: 20% for disabled complainants
Prosecutor dismissals: 35% higher for disability-motivated crimes
Sentencing enhancements ignored in 40% disability hate cases
Guardianship abuse leads to 15% wrongful arrests
Disabled juveniles: 30% higher detention rates

Criminal Justice Outcomes Interpretation

The system’s gears are greased with indifference, grinding disabled lives from disproportionate suspicion to unjust confinement and back again in a cycle that mocks both justice and dignity.

Sexual Violence Statistics

49% of disabled women experienced sexual violence in lifetime vs 25% non-disabled
Disabled women 2-3 times more likely to be sexually assaulted by caregivers
70-89% of women with intellectual disabilities sexually assaulted in lifetime
Children with disabilities: 4x risk of sexual abuse
30% of disabled adults report unwanted sexual contact annually
Deaf women: 40% lifetime sexual assault rate vs 17% general
Mental illness disability: 25% sexual victimization rate yearly
Physical disability women: 37% report coercive sex
Autism females: 3x sexual violence risk
Institutional sexual abuse: 25% of disabled residents affected
Online sexual exploitation: disabled youth 2x vulnerable
Repeat sexual victimization: 60% for disabled women
Male disabled sexual assault: 15% lifetime
Visual impairment sexual abuse: 20% higher reporting
Mobility impaired: 28% sexual harassment rate
Intellectual disability males: 25% abused
Elderly disabled sexual abuse: 14% in care settings
PTSD post-sexual assault: 80% in disabled victims
Reporting sexual assault: only 10% by disabled due to barriers

Sexual Violence Statistics Interpretation

These statistics form a chilling indictment, revealing that for people with disabilities the world is not merely inaccessible but often a predator's playground where vulnerability is weaponized and protection is a promise routinely broken.

Socioeconomic Factors

Poverty rate among disabled crime victims: 28% vs 10% general
Unemployment among disabled victims: 45% post-victimization
Homelessness: 20% of disabled crime victims become homeless
Low-income disabled: 3x victimization risk
Rural disabled: 1.8x higher crime exposure due to isolation
Education level: <HS diploma disabled victims 2.5x more
Public assistance recipients with disability: 40% victimized
Housing instability: 35% correlation with repeat victimization
Food insecurity: 50% in disabled victim households
Medical debt post-crime: 60% for uninsured disabled
Employment discrimination post-victimization: 55%
Income loss: average $15,000/year for disabled survivors
Single-parent disabled households: 4x poverty-crime link
Minority disabled: 2.2x socioeconomic vulnerability
Veteran disabled: 25% higher crime-poverty cycle
Substance abuse comorbidity: 40% in low-SES disabled victims
Transport barriers: 70% limit escape from high-crime areas
Digital divide: 30% less reporting due to no internet
Childcare costs: exacerbate 25% poverty in disabled families
Insurance gaps: 18% of disabled in poverty-crime nexus

Socioeconomic Factors Interpretation

Behind these stark numbers lies a brutal calculus: poverty and disability are not just risk factors but a crime trap, where victimization deepens disadvantage in every aspect of life, creating a vicious cycle that is almost impossible to escape.

Types of Violent Crimes

Simple assault accounted for 68% of violent crimes against disabled persons in 2017
Aggravated assault rate for disabled: 4.2 per 1,000 vs 1.5 non-disabled
Robbery victimization: disabled 2.1 per 1,000, non-disabled 1.3
12% of disabled victims experienced rape/sexual assault
Property crimes against disabled households: 15% higher incidence
Domestic violence: 41% of disabled women victims from intimate partners
Bullying/harassment: 63% lifetime for disabled youth
Physical abuse in care facilities: 15-28% prevalence among disabled residents
Street crime victimization: disabled pedestrians 3x more targeted
Theft from disabled persons: 22% of reported crimes
Vandalism against disability aids: 8% of property crimes
Hate crimes targeting disability: 20.8% of single-bias incidents in 2020
Assault with weapon: 5.1 per 1,000 for disabled
Unarmed assault: 52 per 1,000 disabled victims
Threats of violence: 18% of incidents against disabled
Completed rape: 1.2 per 1,000 disabled females
Attempted assault: 6.3 per 1,000
Purse snatching/pocket picking: 4.5 per 1,000 disabled

Types of Violent Crimes Interpretation

The alarming reality is that for disabled individuals, navigating daily life demands a level of vigilance and resilience that goes far beyond accessibility ramps, as they face a disproportionate and often brutal spectrum of violence, from the mundane to the monstrous, simply for existing in a world not built for their safety.

Victimization Rates

Persons with disabilities experienced violent victimization at a rate of 58.7 per 1,000 persons age 12 or older, compared to 21.8 per 1,000 for persons without disabilities in 2017
From 2016-2017, the violent victimization rate for persons with disabilities was 40 victimizations per 1,000, more than twice the rate of 16 per 1,000 for non-disabled persons
Adults with developmental disabilities are 4 to 10 times more likely to be victims of violent crime than those without disabilities
People with intellectual disabilities face a lifetime risk of victimization 4 times higher than the general population
In 2019, disabled individuals reported 1.3 million violent victimizations
Violent crime rate against disabled persons aged 12+ was 23.4 per 1,000 in 2016-2019 average
Females with disabilities had a violent victimization rate of 32.1 per 1,000 vs 18.5 for non-disabled females
Males with disabilities: 25.3 per 1,000 violent victimizations vs 12.4 for non-disabled males
Disabled youth (12-17) had 2.4 times higher violent victimization rate than non-disabled peers
Elderly disabled (65+) experienced 15.2 per 1,000 violent victimizations vs 4.5 non-disabled
Physical disability holders had 62% higher victimization rate than cognitive disability holders
25% of disabled persons reported multiple victimizations annually
Autism spectrum individuals have 2.4 times risk of violent assault
Deaf individuals report crime victimization rates 2-3 times higher
Mobility impaired: 35 per 1,000 victimization rate
Mental health disability: 48.2 per 1,000 violent rate
Visual impairment: 28.9 per 1,000
Hearing impairment: 22.1 per 1,000
Self-care disability: 41.5 per 1,000
Going out disability: 55.3 per 1,000

Victimization Rates Interpretation

People with disabilities experience the cruel paradox of being statistically more vulnerable yet systemically less protected, facing violent crime at rates up to three times higher than the general population, from youth to the elderly, across nearly every type of impairment.

Sources & References

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