Investigations

A House commerce committee investigation found that two drug wholesalers had sent more than 20 million pain pills to two pharmacies in the small town of Williamson, W.Va., seen in 2016.

Drug Distributors Shipped 20.8 Million Painkillers To West Virginia Town Of 3,000

6:54pm January 30, 2018

by Laurel Wamsley

Other towns were similarly inundated, in a state that now has the highest rate of drug overdose deaths. In 2008, one wholesaler provided 5,624 pills for every man, woman and child in Kermit, W.Va.

The American Red Cross forced a senior official, Gerald Anderson, to resign amid sexual harassment and assault allegations, but it still gave him a positive review when asked by another aid organization interested in hiring him.

Red Cross Endorsed Top Official Despite Sexual Misconduct Claims, ProPublica Reports

6:00am January 25, 2018

by Steve Inskeep

The American Red Cross forced out a top official amid sexual misconduct accusations, but it still gave glowing references when asked by an aid organization seeking to hire him, ProPublica reports.

James Meadours (left), Debbie Robinson and Thomas Mangrum share their stories about sexual assault.

In Their Own Words: People With Intellectual Disabilities Talk About Rape

7:00am January 20, 2018

by Joseph Shapiro

In the final piece of NPR's series on the sexual assault epidemic against people with intellectual disabilities, we hear from victims themselves about how these experiences shape their lives.

Queue Listen Now

In Their Words, Adults With Intellectual Disabilities Tell Their Sexual Assault Stories

4:17pm January 18, 2018

by Joseph Shapiro

NPR obtained data from the United States Department of Justice that shows adults with intellectual disabilities suffer from an epidemic of sexual assault. Many keep their sexual assaults a secret, and it can isolate them, telling NPR they worry it proves they are not competent to live and work independently.

An NPR investigation finds that people with intellectual disabilities suffer one of the highest rates of sexual assault — and that compared with other rape victims, they are even more likely to be assaulted by someone they know.

From The Frontlines Of A Sexual Assault Epidemic: 2 Therapists Share Stories

12:48pm January 18, 2018

by Joseph Shapiro

Two psychologists both have a rare specialty: counseling sexual assault survivors who have intellectual disabilities. The stories of sexual violence in their clients' lives have striking similarities.

Queue Listen Now

Lyons-Boswick goes through old case files.

National

How Prosecutors Changed The Odds To Start Winning Some Of The Toughest Rape Cases

1:26pm January 16, 2018

by Joseph Shapiro

A rape case 25 years ago revolutionized justice for people with intellectual disabilities. They were "unwinnable" rape cases, until prosecutors figured out the secret.

Rosemary adjusts one of Natalie's many dolls.

National

'She Can't Tell Us What's Wrong'

10:42am January 10, 2018

by Joseph Shapiro

Many people with intellectual disabilities can't talk or have difficulty speaking — and are unable to report when they've been raped or sexually assaulted.

A participant helps Park hang the agenda on the wall at the start of class.

For Some With Intellectual Disabilities, Ending Abuse Starts With Sex Ed

1:41pm January 09, 2018

by Joseph Shapiro

The high rates of sexual assault among people with intellectual disabilities can make romantic relationships difficult. One class aims to teach them about healthy relationships and sexuality.

Queue Listen Now

Erika Harrell writes the Justice Department's annual report about crime against all people with disabilities.

National

The Sexual Assault Epidemic No One Talks About

1:35pm January 08, 2018

by Joseph Shapiro

People with intellectual disabilities are the victims of sexual assault at a rate seven times higher than those without disabilities. But this epidemic receives little attention.

National

NPR Investigation Finds Hidden Epidemic Of Sexual Assault

8:30am January 08, 2018

by Joseph Shapiro

People with intellectual disabilities are sexually assaulted at seven times the rate of people without disabilities. It's a crime that often goes unrecognized and unpunished.

Queue Listen Now