Disabled children in need of protection

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 launched by the NSPCC this week.

The report, written by the charity’s 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 with people that they are being abused, and
that 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 disabled children. 

It Doesn’t Happen to Disabled Children from 020 7825
2775.

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