Young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and especially young women, are at much
higher risk of experiencing sexual harassment and abuse compared to their neurotypical 1 peers.
Research 2 shows they are up to four times more likely to face such situations, often from a young
age. This is largely due to the social and communication challenges linked to autism, such as
difficulty recognising unsafe behaviour, setting personal boundaries, or understanding others’
intentions. For many, especially young women, this can lead to feeling confused, isolated or afraid
to speak up and, unfortunately, even when they do it they may not feel believed or properly
supported.
The VERA project, launched in March 2025 and funded by the European Commission under the
Programme CERV-Daphne, has been launched to respond to this serious problem. VERA helps
young people with ASD to recognise, prevent and respond to situations of harassment or abuse.
Using creative tools like theatre (especially Theatre of the Oppressed), role-play and peer
education, the project aims to offer practical, inclusive training tailored to their needs. VERA also
involves families, professionals and policymakers to raise awareness and build stronger, more
supportive communities. The goal is to create lasting change so that youth with ASD, especially
girls and young women, can grow up feeling safe, informed and confident to protect themselves
and speak out.