The Vulnerability of Children with Disabilities to Sexual Abuse

Following three years’ work in child protective services and two years in school psychology, I attended an international child assault prevention conference. One year later, I founded a prevention project in my county of residence and began training a group of volunteers. One trainee had a twelve-year old daughter with an intellectual disability. Over three months of practicing vignettes for educating children about personal safety and refusal skills, this woman’s older son was molesting her daughter. The child became pregnant, and the family raised the baby as a sister to her biological parents. For over thirty years, I’ve felt haunted by that tragedy.

Children with disabilities are among the most vulnerable members of society, particularly regarding sexual assault. Whether these children have physical, intellectual, sensory, or developmental disabilities, they face heightened dangers at school, in the community, and especially in residential facilities. The reasons for this increased risk are complex, involving societal attitudes, lack of resources, and systemic failures. This article delves into the many factors contributing to the vulnerability of these children, as well as the importance of awareness, prevention, and intervention strategies.

The Hidden Nature of Abuse in Children with Disabilities

Sexual abuse of children with disabilities is often under-recognized, underreported, and inadequately addressed. Due to the nature of many disabilities, children may not fully understand what is happening to them or have difficulty verbalizing their experiences. Many children with intellectual or language challenges struggle to communicate effectively about their experiences, making abuse harder to investigate. According to a report from the National Disability Rights Network, children with disabilities are at increased risk of abuse because they may not understand they have the right to say ‘no.’ 1

As a survivor of child sexual abuse and incest and over my thirty-four-year career in school psychology I’ve become acutely aware of the tactics used by perpetrators in acquiring their victim’s silence. The use of bribes, trying to make the child feel like a willing participant, and making threats about disastrous consequences should the child disclose abuse, unfortunately, are effective with most victims, regardless of their abilities.

Barriers to Reporting Abuse

Children with disabilities face significant obstacles to reporting sexual abuse. These include physical, cognitive, and emotional barriers that can hinder their ability to seek help. For instance, children with speech or language impairments may have difficulty verbalizing their experiences, while children with developmental disabilities may not fully understand the concept of consent or what constitutes inappropriate behavior. 2

Many children with disabilities rely heavily on caregivers, some of whom may be the perpetrators of sexual abuse. This dependency decreases the likelihood that abuse will be reported or addressed, as children may fear retaliation or losing the care they depend on.

Caretaker and Institutional Abuse

Why are children with disabilities particularly susceptible to abuse? Some are in specialized schools, foster homes, group homes, or residential care facilities. In a 2018 study, researchers found that these children are disproportionately affected by abuse in institutional settings, where they are reliant on multiple caregivers for daily care. The system’s lack of oversight and staff training exacerbates the problem. 3

In a study reviewing research involving over 570,000 children and adolescents in Denmark, children with diagnoses of speech disabilities, ADHD, and intellectual disabilities were at the highest risk of sexual victimization. Other children with disabilities in the studies had sensory impairments, were on the autism spectrum, had traumatic brain injuries, epilepsy, dyslexia, or physical disabilities. Some were living at home while others lived in foster care or residential facilities. The overall prevalence of sexual abuse was 31.7%, approximately twice as high as in the general population. 4

Social Isolation and Lack of Advocacy

Children with disabilities are sometimes socially isolated, which further heightens their vulnerability to abuse. This may stem from a limited ability to engage in typical peer relationships due to communication difficulties or mobility challenges. This isolation may reduce the likelihood that the child will confide in friends and peers. And they rarely disclose abuse to teachers who are obligated to report to authorities.

The Innocent Lives Foundation found that of children with disabilities who were sexually assaulted, 65% were diagnosed with multiple disabilities. They were more likely to be targeted by an adult they knew. Many had language challenges that affected their ability to refuse or disclose the abuse.

Children with disabilities are more likely to be excluded from school sex education programs and general sexual health care by doctors. Without information or tools for recognizing and coping with potentially abusive behavior, these youth are especially susceptible to assault. 2

Increased Dependency on Adults and Strained Trust Boundaries

For children who depend on adults or caregivers for activities like feeding, dressing, and personal hygiene, that intimate contact can be manipulated by perpetrators for abusive purposes. Children with disabilities are often taught to trust adults implicitly, which can further obscure their sense of boundaries. The power dynamic between children with disabilities and those responsible for their care is one-sided, creating a context in which abuse can occur without detection.

According to Smith and Harrell, “Ableism is a value system that deems people without disabilities as the norm and people with disabilities as abnormal, weak, dependent, and unintelligent.” Ableism renders children with disabilities as less valuable, making them prime targets for sexual abuse. 5 Such notions of dependency result in a culture of compliance where children may not say ‘no’ about what to wear or eat, leaving them unequipped to say ‘no’ when someone tries to exploit them.

Cultural and Societal Factors

Society’s attitudes toward children with disabilities can also contribute to their vulnerability to sexual abuse. These individuals are often viewed through a lens of pity in social contexts, leading to their needs and rights being marginalized. This may translate into decreased credibility when they report abuse. Such stigmas contribute to a lack of public awareness and a failure to take seriously the possibility of abuse within this group. 6 Children with disabilities who experience sexual abuse are also less likely to receive the services and support needed for obtaining justice and healing. Such societal neglect must be addressed immediately and systemically.

The Importance of Prevention, Education, and Advocacy

Preventing the sexual abuse of children with disabilities requires a multifaceted approach, beginning with education and training for both children and adults. Programs that teach children with disabilities about their rights, body autonomy, and the importance of speaking up are critical. Furthermore, parents, caregivers, educators, and healthcare providers must be equipped with the knowledge and tools to detect signs of abuse and intervene appropriately. Advocacy groups like The Arc and RAINN can play a pivotal role in raising awareness, providing resources, and pushing for legal reforms to protect children with disabilities from abuse. Consider reading Surviving Sexual Trauma: What to Expect for more insights.

Recommendations

Sexual education and assault prevention education should be provided to all children at least twice before age twelve to increase their knowledge about consent, inappropriate behavior, and who to tell if abuse occurs. Children who disclose abuse must be assured that they will be helped rather than be in trouble.

Our Whole Lives (OWL): Lifespan Sexuality Education for use in both secular and faith communities has curriculum that is inclusive of children with disabilities, presented in stories and vignettes. Program creators value self-worth, sexual health, responsibility, justice, and inclusivity.

Safe Touches is another evidence-based prevention program with universal design providing workshops for students in grades K-3. Educators and helping professionals realize that children are capable of comprehending information that is provided in a developmentally appropriate format and are resilient even if they have been victimized. Inclusive systems provide coping strategies and amplify all children’s voices.

It is imperative that educators, caregivers in foster and residential care, and health care professionals receive specialized training in recognizing and assessing sexual victimization among children with disabilities.

All parents must educate themselves about the silent epidemic of child sexual abuse. Elevatus an organization addressing sexuality with individuals with developmental disabilities, created materials for parents about Body Knowledge and Body Rights, Consent, Boundaries, Get Away and Tell Someone, Sexual Assault Awareness for People with Disabilities, Social Media/Online Safety, Abuse Awareness and Prevention Guide. The Consent for Kids video is excellent. Consider also reading Why Parents are the Cornerstones of Sexual Assault Prevention.

Saprea has an encouraging blog entitled The 3 Ways I Taught My Special Needs Son About Sex.

Parents should ask at their child’s IEP, ISP, or 504 meeting if school staff are trained in sexual assault prevention and abuse protocol.

The 2015 document, Sexual Abuse of Individuals with Developmental Disabilities: Analysis and Recommendations for Ohio is an outstanding downloadable resource.

Conclusion

The vulnerability of children with disabilities to sexual abuse is a complex and urgent issue that demands a concerted, compassionate, and informed response. It requires dismantling societal barriers, providing better support systems to protect these children, and improving reporting mechanisms. Ultimately, preventing abuse is not just about raising awareness but about creating systems that truly empower children with disabilities to feel safe, advocate for themselves, and thrive. Only then can we ensure that every child, regardless of their abilities, is able to live free from the threat of harm.

1 Smith, D. (2021). Desperation without dignity: conditions of children placed in for-profit residential facilities. National Disability Rights Network, 1-65.

2 Maloney, E., Eurydice, C. (2022). Are children with disabilities at a higher risk for abuse? Innocent Lives Foundation.

3 Smith, D. (2021). Desperation without dignity: conditions of children placed in for-profit residential facilities. National Disability Rights Network, 1-65.

4 Elklit, A., Murphy, S., Skovgaard, C., & Laustan, M. (2023). Sexual violence against children with disabilities: a Danish national birth cohort prospective study. Journal of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry & Psychology, 11 (1), 143-149.

5 Smith, N., & Harrell, S. (2013). Sexual abuse of children with disabilities: a national snapshot. Vera Institute of Justice, 1-10.

6 The risk of sexual abuse in children with disabilities. (2017). National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.