Abuse Risk Among Children with Disabilities
Child abuse is a prevalent issue affecting millions of children worldwide, and disabled children are at a significantly higher risk of experiencing varied forms of abuse. According to the CDC, “Children with disabilities are almost four times more likely to experience violence than children without disabilities.” This increased vulnerability is due to several factors, including dependence on caregivers, communication barriers, social isolation, gullibility, and societal attitudes towards disability. It takes a team to understand these risks and recognize the signs of abuse to protect and support these vulnerable children.
DISABLED CHILDREN ARE MORE VULNERABLE BECAUSE…
Disabled children often require assistance with daily activities, making them more reliant on caregivers. This dependency can lead to situations where caregivers exploit their power, resulting in physical, emotional, or sexual abuse.
Many disabled children have difficulty communicating, which can prevent them from reporting abuse or talking about their experiences. Perpetrators may take advantage of these communication challenges, believing the child will not be able to disclose the abuse.
It can be highly challenging for someone with an intellectual disability to analyze, evaluate, or learn from experiences, which can make it difficult for them to fully understand situations or the reasons behind situations. Because of this, perpetrators may take advantage of people with intellectual disabilities due to their acceptance, gullibility, compliance, or willingness to comply.
Children with disabilities and their caregivers may experience social isolation, which can restrict their access to friendships and other forms of support, increase anxiety and emotional dysregulation, and make them more susceptible to abuse. “Over 90% of disabled children are socially isolated, with 49% of disabled children not seeing a friend in the last month either online or in person.This sadly isn’t limited to children, with three in five parents also socially isolated.” (Jenx)
Negative or uneducated societal attitudes towards disability can contribute to maltreatment and devaluation of disabled children. These attitudes can create an environment where abuse is more likely to occur and less likely to be reported or addressed.
RECOGNIZE THE SIGNS
It is essential for everyone in a child's life to be proactive in recognizing the signs of abuse in disabled children, which can be challenging due to their unique vulnerabilities and potential communication barriers. Children with disabilities who experience abuse show the same signs as their peers in the general population.
In addition to physical signs, behavioral indicators are also assessed when determining abuse. Children with disabilities may display behavioral signs of abuse that their caregivers may not identify as abusive. Their persistent issues or lack of communication abilities may also be the cause of behavioral changes. Common indicators among children with disabilities include:
Unexplained injuries on parts of the body that are typically protected or less mobile.
Sudden changes in the way they communicate or behave, such as becoming non-verbal or significantly altering their communication patterns.
Signs of confusion, fear, or distress that are inconsistent with their usual cognitive functioning.
Abandonment, neglect, involuntary seclusion, wrongful restraint, financial exploitation, and physical, sexual or verbal abuse (ODHS).
4 WAYS TO SUPPORT & PROTECT DISABLED CHILDREN IN YOUR COMMUNITY
Participating in child abuse prevention training programs can help individuals recognize the signs of abuse and respond appropriately. Juliette’s House offers a variety of free presentations for all ages that educate about the vulnerabilities of children and how to approach this sensitive issue.
Encourage open and honest communication with disabled children. Create an environment where they feel safe and supported to express their concerns and experiences. Understanding non-verbal cues, applying patience, asking questions, and providing choices are important when establishing healthy communication strategies for all ages.
Ensure that reporting mechanisms are accessible to all children and adults, including those with disabilities. This may involve providing communication aids, sign language interpreters, or other supportive technologies. It's vital to have a conversation with your children about their rights and individuality, regardless of their disability, as not all disabilities hinder communication or cognitive function.
Foster a supportive community network that includes regular check-ins with families, respite care for caregivers, and peer support groups for disabled children. We can actively lessen the stigma or hesitation in reporting abuse signs for disabled children or in treating them like any other child with similar needs for social connection, support, and skill acquisition by raising awareness, educating people, and fostering social networking.
It takes a team effort from peers, teachers, parents, caregivers, and the larger community to protect disabled children from abuse. We can make the environment safer and more encouraging for all children by being aware of the unique vulnerabilities that children with disabilities have and by being alert to the warning signs of abuse. It is our duty to guarantee that every child, regardless of ability, is safeguarded, appreciated, and given the tools they need to succeed.