Safeguarding Disabled Children in Residential Settings: What we Know and What we Don't Know

• NCJ Number: 197772
• Journal: Child Abuse Review Volume: 11 Issue: 5 Dated: September-October 2002 Pages: 262-281
• Author(s): Alina Paul; Pat Cawson
• Date Published: September 2002
• Length: 20 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Literature Review
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

This article offers a review of the research literature concerning the abuse of disabled children and the measures that can be taken to safeguard them.

Abstract

Over the past decade there has been increased awareness and concern about the abuse of disabled children in residential establishments. Unfortunately, there is very little research concerning the abuse of disabled children. This article reviews the research literature in this area, revealing the prevalence of abuse among disabled children and why this population is at high risk for such abuse. The authors explain that there is a wide degree of discrepancy concerning the actual numbers of disabled children who are abused. Methodological differences are to blame for such inconsistencies. However, it is known that disabled children are at a higher risk of being abused than their non-disabled peers. Research reveals that there are three key reasons why disabled children are more vulnerable to abuse: a greater use of institutional care, their physical dependency on other people, and barriers to communication. The author explains that the vulnerability experienced by children who live in residential care facilities is due to exposure to many different people, staff as well as fellow residents. The same dynamic occurs as disabled children are forced to physically rely on other people for a range of needs, such as dressing or transportation. Finally, disabled children may lack the means with which to communicate that they are being abused. They may be isolated from family members who would understand them, or they may lack the cognition to recognize that abuse was occurring. The author offers suggestions to improve the safety of disabled children in residential care facilities. These suggestions include a commitment to protect children that is incorporated within the central goals of any residential care facility. References