Ensuring the welfare of Disabled Children & Vulnerable Adults

Some disabled children and adults are mentally or physically more vulnerable than others leaving them more open to exploitation and abuse. They may also find it more difficult to recognise and report abuse. For example where their incapacity means that they:

Have not been able to develop the social skills needed to understand what the behaviour and attitudes of others mean

This may make them less able to understand what constitutes unacceptable and inappropriate behaviour because they:

Have been encouraged to comply with other people’s wishes and not question ‘authority figures’.
Are afraid to confront potentially abusive situations because of fear or uncertainty about the consequences.
May not be able to report abuse either because there is no one they can report it to or they do not have the appropriate language available to explain what has happened.
May not understand or recognise that they have been abused.
May feel powerless and trapped because they have to depend on the abuser for personal support.
May not be able to physically remove themselves from the abusive situation.
May not have anyone they can trust or confide in.
May feel guilt or shame about the abuse which prevents them from reporting it.
May have no sense of ownership of their own bodies because they are so used to being examined physically by others as part of their medical and physical care.

The English Federation for Disability Sport has produced its own Child Protection Policy and Procedures which is available to download from their website.