[Translate to Englisch:] Porträtfoto Pia Witthöft

Pia Witthöft
Head of the "Mutstelle" Counselling Centre

It helps enormously to seek outside advice

People with disabilities are significantly more often affected by sexualised violence during childhood and adolescence, but also as adults. Pia Witthöft explains why this is the case and what needs to change.

About Pia Witthöft
Pia Witthöft is a certified psychologist. Since 2014 she has been the head of the Berlin-based "Mutstelle" – a professional counselling centre for people with learning difficulties who have experienced sexualised violence. She and her colleagues provide advice and support to victims, their families and professionals.

Ms Witthöft, according to a study by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, women with a mental or physical disability are two to three times more likely to experience sexual abuse during childhood and adolescence. Why is that the case?

Children and adolescents with a disability are often less able to defend themselves and set boundaries. They are very much dependent on their families and their caregivers within care facilities. They also often experience relationship breakdowns and insecure attachments. They come into contact with people outside the care system less often, and when they do, this often does not happen in a self-determined way. This means they do not have the same shared experiences with their peers that other children and young people have. And in answer to the question: "Is it normal that...?". Another aspect that also plays a role in adulthood: Children and young people with a disability do not always understand the intricacies of a situation and may not be able to express themselves well. There is usually a big difference in their emotional and cognitive maturity compared with other people their age. This especially plays a role in cases of assaults between young people. Also at this age, girls or boys with a cognitive impairment may find it much harder to defend themselves and set boundaries. And incidentally, studies from various countries show that the incidence is also significantly higher among boys with disabilities.

How can abuse experienced by people with disabilities affect them in adulthood?

That is a broad field. In summary you could say that the impacts are not all that specific for people with disabilities. When someone has a post-traumatic disorder, then this gets expressed – whether you have a disability or not. Such as in the form of difficulties in building relationships, a great attachment to certain people, as well as a strong need for security and regularity. People often lack a sense of their own boundaries – and those of others. How people relate to their own body can be difficult and even lead to self-harming. Conversely, behavioural problems and even the learning disability itself can be the result of trauma caused by violence. To put it simply: When we experience stress, we do not learn or process things well. And trauma means enormous stress, which puts us in emergency mode. It's about survival: We are no longer able to decide how we want to behave, what we want to perceive, focus on or learn. The earlier traumatising effects affect the developing brain, the more difficult it is for the brain to develop certain functions and the harder it is to regulate stress. And the more survivors will struggle with the consequences later in life.

Where does sexualised violence against people with learning disabilities occur most frequently? Who are the perpetrators?

Just like with people without learning difficulties, sexualised violence often happens within the family or in partnerships – especially when there is a strong power imbalance. Facilities for the disabled, such as a residential community or a workshop, can also be a "crime scene". It can be professionals who commit the abuse, but quite often the abuse takes place within the peer group, such as by a housemate or a colleague. In particular, when no sexual educational programmes are in place and protection concepts are poorly communicated, there is often a lack of the necessary sensitivity to intervene early on or a lack of preventive services, such as counselling. Taboos and blind spots create opportunities for potential perpetrators.

Berlin has had a counselling centre for people with learning difficulties since 2014. Where does the name "Mutstelle" (Courage Centre) come from?

Courage is very important in this context; victims of sexualised violence have often lost it and want to regain it. We as helpers also need courage; the courage to suggest the right steps, even if they are uncomfortable at times, and insist that these steps are taken. Courage is the psychological guiding principle of our counselling centre – that's where the name comes from.

In acute crisis situations in particular, it greatly helps to seek advice from outside and not just stay in your own circle. We look at everything from an independent viewpoint and can help people view the situation neutrally.

Who uses our service?

We advise people with learning difficulties, that is the victims and their families, but also professionals. One in two counselling sessions is attended by professionals. That happens, for example, when the victims themselves cannot or do not want to express themselves, or do not sufficiently understand what has happened to them. It doesn't matter whether the abuse has just happened or took place in the past. We are also here for people who experienced violence in childhood or adolescence. We also advise institutions, for example, by helping them develop protection concepts.

Why is it important that there are counselling centres specifically for people with learning difficulties?

I hope that we will need fewer of such special structures in the future. But in order to cut down on such structures, we need enough knowledge as well as well-prepared offers of support. This happens over many years in incremental steps. That is why it is important that offers like the "Mutstelle" exist. Not all counselling centres for sexualised violence are fully wheelchair accessible yet. At the "Mutstelle", all rooms are barrier-free, and our language and our methods are also disabled friendly. We understand what people with cognitive impairments need. And if the victim so wishes, we also involve their support system in the counselling.

How do you help specifically?

The counselling depends on people's individual needs. Often, we first talk about which steps are important and possible. We also look for signs of post-traumatic stress disorder. We do not offer therapy here at the "Mutstelle". But we are able to offer stability and support for a certain period of time. Sometimes it is useful to also involve people's carers.

What measures are needed to protect people with learning difficulties from sexualised violence?

I believe that taking an open and informative approach to the subject of sexuality and relationships is very important. It would be great if schools would do this as standard. The "Eingliederungshilfe" (integration aid) service also bears a great responsibility: It needs specific protection concepts and of course sex education concepts. It is not enough, however, to just draw up such concepts once. They must be constantly updated and staff must be trained in them.

Why do you recommend that victims, their relatives or professionals summon up their courage and contact your centre?

In acute crisis situations in particular, it greatly helps to seek advice from outside and not just stay in your own circle. These are often complex and difficult situations with many interdependencies and loyalties. We look at everything from an independent viewpoint and can help people view the situation neutrally. The victims themselves, as well as their families or professionals, should know that it is not just the act of violence itself that determines how well a person comes to terms with their experience, but also how this act is dealt with.

Stories that inspire courage

Interview | Sport

The reactions from members of the public showed me that I am not alone. There are a lot of people who feel the same way. Today I am happy. My life goes on. I have a good relationship with my body and my sexuality.

Lisa-Marie Kreutz

Survivor

To the Interview

Interview | Society

I would have liked the people around me to ask me how I am and if everything is okay at home. There were so many times in my life when it was clear that something was wrong with me.

Lisa Fahrig

Member of the Council of Victims and Survivors

To the Interview
[Translate to Englisch:] Porträtfoto Lisa Fahrig

Interview | Therapy

Being sexually abused by a woman was extremely damaging to my masculinity. I felt very conflicted for many years. It was really tough for me. It took me a long time to reconcile these two sides.

Nicolas Haaf

Member of the Council of Victims and Survivors

To the interview

Interview | Counselling

Such a sensitive and personal topic always needs courage. But I do believe that making a call helps. It is a first step, a first "mustering up the courage". And that alone often makes all subsequent steps much easier.

Tanja von Bodelschwingh

Counsellor at the Sexual Abuse Help Line

To the interview
[Translate to Englisch:] Porträtfoto Tanja von Bodelschwingh

Interview | Dealing with Child Sexual Abuse

We want to learn from these stories. That is the central element of coming to terms with what happened: Looking back should form the basis of learning for the sake of today and for the future.

Barbara Kavemann

Member of the Independent Commission for Dealing with Child Sexual Abuse

To the interview
[Translate to Englisch:] Porträtfoto Barbara Kavemann

Interview | Self-help

In our self-help group, men can show their weaknesses and are not laughed at, but are respected. That alone is an experience: I don't have to play the tough guy, I can be seen to be vulnerable.

Max Ciolek

Member of the Council of Victims and Survivors

To the interview
[Translate to Englisch:] Porträtfoto Max Ciolek

Interview | Law

The developments I observe in many of the victims and survivors are very encouraging and motivating. Often they can find their old self again during this long process.

Petra Ladenburger
Lawyer

To the interview
[Translate to Englisch:] Porträtfoto Petra Ladenburger

    Give us a call – even if you're unsure

    Talk to the advisors of the Sexual Abuse Help Line. Your call is anonymous and free of charge.

    0800 22 55 530

    Telephone hours:

    Mon, Wed, Fri: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    Tues, Thurs: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

    Send us a message

    – securely and confidentially

    The Sexual Abuse Help Line also offers advice by email. By registering, the advice service remains confidential.