LEAP stands for Leadership for Empowerment and Abuse Prevention and provides training on healthy relationships and information about preventing abuse for adults with intellectual disabilities. Developed in collaboration between VCU's School of Social Work and the Partnership for People with Disabilities, LEAP provides training on healthy relationships and information about preventing abuse to adults with disabilities. LEAP was developed by a multidisciplinary team that included people with disabilities and their families, along with representatives from domestic violence, child advocacy, social services, health, LGBTQ+  and disability advocacy agencies. People with disabilities have been involved in every aspect of LEAP's implementation and are essential members of LEAP's training teams. On this website, you will also find information for supporters and family members.

LEAP trainers teach participants about:

  • what it means to trust someone and who should be trusted;
  • healthy, unhealthy, and confusing relationships;
  • asking permission before touching;
  • different ways to say “no”;
  • identifying feelings and physical signs associated with being uncomfortable; and
  • how to get help.