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Disabled children are nearly four times more likely to be abused than other children, but the government is failing to protect them, according to a report from the NSPCC, writes Sally Gillen.

The report, written by the National Working Group on Child Protection and Disability, shows that abuse can often go unrecognised, and disabled children rarely get justice because they are not considered credible witnesses.

It also argues that disabled children often lack the language skills to communicate they are being abused, and child protection practices do not take account of the particular circumstances and needs of disabled children who are abused.

Disability Rights Commissioner Philippa Russell said: “Disabled children have suffered decades of discrimination and abuse because our society has not been sufficiently vigilant over the quality of their care and well-being.”

The report is calling on the government to urgently review the current child protection system and to develop a national strategy to safeguard them.

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More information on the report