Elevated Risk for Victimization in Children with Disabilities

Children with mental or intellectual disabilities are at highest risk.

Adults with disabilities and mental illness are at increased risk for being victims of violence. To determine the prevalence of and risk for physical violence, sexual violence, and neglect in children with all types of disabilities, investigators performed a meta-analysis of data from 17 case-control or cohort studies involving 18,374 children (age, >2 years) with disabilities. All studies were conducted in the U.S. and Europe and were published between 1990 and 2010.

Prevalence rates for combined types of violence ranged from 5% to 68%, with a pooled prevalence rate of 27%. Pooled prevalence rates were 20% for physical violence, 9% for sexual violence, 18% for emotional abuse, and 10% for neglect. Prevalence rates had substantial heterogene…

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)