Evaluating for Abuse in a Child with a Disability
Risk of Sexual Abuse in
Children with Disabilities (CWD)
- Children in schools (6-17 years old): when sexual abuse was reported, 75% of time it occurred more than once; half abused by peers and half by school personnel. *
- Children with disabilities are more likely to experience more severe forms of sexual abuse.**
- Increased risk of sexual abuse may be due to increased number of caregivers and limited access to personal safety and sexual abuse prevention. **
REFERENCES:
- * Caldas & Bensy 2014
- ** Hershkowitz, Lamb & Horowitz 2007
Accessible Version
Since the case involves a concern for sexual abuse , are children with disabilities at a high risk of sexual abuse?
In one study of 6-17 yo children with disabilities in schools, when sexual abuse occurred, 75% of the time it occurred more than once. Half were sexual abused by peers and half were sexually abused by school personnel.
CWD are more likely to experience more severe forms of sexual abuse.
It is hypothesized that the increased risk of sexual abuse may be due to increased number of caregivers and limited access to personal safety and sexual abuse prevention
