Nonlethal Violent Victimization and Vision and/or Hearing Loss: An Examination of 2016-2021 National Crime Victimization Surveys.

Abstract

Individuals with disabilities are nearly four times as likely to be victims of nonlethal violent crimes than individuals without disabilities. This study evaluated the relationship between vision and/or hearing loss and nonlethal violent victimization (NLVV), reporting of NLVV crimes to the police, and medical care for injury from NLVV. Data were analyzed from the 2016-2021 National Crime Victimization Survey. Logistic regression analyses found that individuals with sensory disabilities experienced more crime episodes but were less likely to report incidents to the police than individuals without sensory disabilities. Individuals with vision loss only or both sensory disabilities were less likely to receive medical care than individuals without sensory disabilities. Tailored programs are needed to reduce the burden of NLVV among individuals with vision and/or hearing loss.