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TBI survivors face heightened vulnerabilities to both sexual predation and financial crimes due to cognitive, emotional, and social impairments from their injuries. People with intellectual disabilities or traumatic brain injuries (TBI) experience elevated rates of abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including sexual assault and financial scams. These risks stem from challenges in judgment, memory, and self-protection, making survivors prime targets for predators.[hlmlawfirm +2]

Vulnerabilities to Sexual Predators

TBI often impairs executive functioning, increasing susceptibility to sexual exploitation by offenders who target vulnerable individuals. Studies show people with IDD/TBI are more likely to suffer interpersonal violence, with staff, family, or strangers as common perpetrators in care settings. Female offenders with TBI histories report higher childhood and partner abuse rates, suggesting a cycle of vulnerability that persists post-injury.[pureadmin.qub +1]

Financial Exploitation Risks

Survivors endure substantial income loss—averaging thousands annually for years—compounding their exposure to scams and theft. Financial predators exploit cognitive deficits, leading to cases like theft from elderly TBI victims investigated by agencies such as Tennessee’s Bureau of Investigation. Resources emphasize prevention through guardianship, financial literacy programs, and reporting hotlines tailored for brain injury populations.[sciencedirect +3]

Connections in Criminology

While some TBI survivors perpetrate sexual offenses due to disinhibition (affecting ~6.5% in rehab cohorts), the predominant pattern involves them as victims of combined sexual and financial crimes. Behavioral threat assessment highlights the need for trauma-informed protections, aligning with victim legal frameworks under agencies like SMART for sex offender monitoring. Research urges integrated interventions to break exploitation cycles in forensic and community settings.[sentencingproject +4]