People with intellectual disabilities are disproportionately impacted by victimization. An intellectual disability is a disability characterized by significant limitations both in intellectual functioning (reasoning, learning, problem-solving) and in adaptive behavior, which covers a range of everyday social and practical skills. Individuals with intellectual disabilities are targeted for a variety of reasons.

Approximately 3 percent of people have an intellectual disability. However, people with intellectual disabilities represent a much higher percentage of crime victims because they are at greater risk for victimization than people without disabilities.