NCJ Number
161296
Date Published
1995
Length
32 pages
Annotation
A 1994 symposium brought together 77 experts on the abuse, neglect, and maltreatment of children with disabilities to raise awareness and develop consensus recommendations on how to prevent or reduce child abuse and how to intervene effectively when it exists.
Abstract
Participants noted that children with disabilities experience abuse and neglect at a rate 1.7 times higher than the rate for children without disabilities. Participants recommended 17 measures, including promoting awareness within and by existing organizations and service systems; the use of an ecological approach to understanding, preventing, and reducing maltreatment; providing universal abuse and neglect prevention efforts through public health initiatives; basing all prevention and intervention programs on best practices; and increasing the capacity of families to withstand stressors that contribute to the abuse and neglect of children. Further recommendations include the adoption of a uniform child protection statute; enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act and existing laws relating to abuse, neglect, and disability; and the reauthorization of laws concerning families, children, and disability. Participant list and 6 references