Over 1,000 Abused Disabled Children... Ages 13-15 Most Common

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[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] A study has revealed that the number of disabled children subjected to physical and mental abuse is increasing every year.

According to Yonhap News on the 7th, the international relief and development NGO Save the Children and Inha University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation announced this through a research report on the system of abuse against disabled children.

Based on an analysis of statistics compiled from the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Central Disability Rights Advocacy Agency, it was found that 1,008 disabled children were victims of abuse in 2020. This shows an increasing trend from 711 in 2017, 889 in 2018, and 945 in 2019.

By age group, those aged 13 to 15 accounted for the largest proportion at 27.8%, followed by 16 to 17 years old (25.6%), 7 to 9 years old (21.8%), and 3 to 6 years old (4.5%).

The abusers were mostly parents at 48.9%, followed by institution workers such as those in social welfare facilities (23.3%), and others (17.3%). A notable point is the significant difference compared to the proportion of parents as abusers among all children, which was 82.1%.

Regarding this, the researchers explained that abuse by parents is less visible in the case of disabled children, and that a higher proportion of disabled children reside in welfare facilities.

The researchers stated, "The biggest characteristic in the case of disabled children is the difficulty in distinguishing between 'abuse' and 'protection' acts," citing examples such as physically controlling children with developmental disabilities or restraining children with brain lesions to chairs.

They also emphasized that disabled children are at a much higher risk of experiencing abuse compared to non-disabled children. Since children with disabilities find it difficult to protect themselves from abuse, they are more easily exposed to risks, experiencing the dual suffering of disability and abuse, according to the researchers.

In fact, UNICEF estimates that disabled children are 3 to 4 times more likely to be exposed to neglect, physical, and sexual violence than non-disabled children.

However, the researchers pointed out that the current Child Welfare Act only contains abstract provisions requiring the state and local governments to establish necessary measures for the rights and interests of disabled children. This implies many problems in establishing and implementing policies to prevent and protect against abuse of disabled children.

Therefore, the researchers emphasized the need to amend the current law to improve the response system for abuse against disabled children.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.