Self-Advocacy & Empowerment Program

Support Education That Protects & Builds Confidence

Since its launch in 2021, Chimes Israel’s Self-Advocacy & Empowerment Program has been transforming the lives of adolescent girls and women with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The initiative helps participants gain essential knowledge about their bodies, boundaries, and rights, while developing the self-confidence and communication skills needed to navigate relationships and protect themselves from harm.

A Vulnerable & Often Overlooked Population

People with disabilities are at significantly higher risk of abuse and exploitation. Research shows:

• Globally, children with disabilities are nearly four times more likely to experience violence than non-disabled children.
• • Up to 68% of girls with disabilities are sexually abused before the age of 18. They are more than twice as likely to be victims of sexual abuse compared to boys, with a higher risk of experiencing penetrative sexual abuse.
  • Approximately 30% of boys with intellectual or developmental disabilities experience sexual abuse before turning 18.
• Adults with disabilities are at a higher risk of experiencing violence, with women with disabilities being particularly vulnerable.
  • More than 70% of women with disabilities report experiencing sexual violence at some point in their lives.

Contributing Factors

Several factors contribute to the increased risk of abuse among people with intellectual disabilities:

• Dependence on Caregivers: Reliance on others for daily needs can create opportunities for abuse.
• Communication Barriers: Communication difficulties may hinder the ability to report abuse.
• Societal Stigma: Misconceptions about the sexuality and autonomy of individuals with disabilities can lead to inadequate education and support.
• Lack of Training Among Professionals: Educators, social workers, and health providers are often not trained to detect or respond appropriately to signs of abuse in individuals with intellectual disabilities.

A Safe Space to Learn, Grow & Be Heard

To achieve the best possible outcomes, Chimes partners with the Argaman Institute, Israel’s leading expert organization in therapeutic education related to sexuality, trauma, and social-emotional development. Over the course of eight interactive sessions, participants explore topics that directly impact their physical and emotional safety. The sessions are sensitive, culture and age-appropriate, and adapted to their cognitive and social needs. Argaman leads the program using accessible language, visual aids, and experiential learning, empowering participants to:

• Understand their rights
• Set personal boundaries
• Identify unsafe situations
• Communicate assertively
• Build healthy, respectful relationships