Research over the past 15 years has shown that disabled children are at an increased risk of being abused compared with their non-disabled peers.
In 2000, Sullivan and Knutson found children with disabilities are 3.4 times more likely to be maltreated. Later, Jones et al (2012), also reported that disabled children are three-times more likely to be abused.
Meanwhile, a range of other studies have found they are also less likely to receive the protection and support they need when they have been abused.
Published case reviews highlight that professionals often struggle to identify safeguarding concerns when working with deaf and disabled children.
The learning from case reviews emphasises the importance of child-focused practice. It highlights the need for a holistic approach to supporting disabled children and their families. It stresses the importance of considering all of a child’s support needs, rather than just those related to their disability.
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