Deaf and disabled children

Deaf and disabled children may be more vulnerable to abuse than hearing and non-disabled children.

As well as neglect, physical, emotional or sexual abuse, this group of children may suffer more subtle forms of abuse, like being deprived of a way of communicating or being prevented from seeing people outside of the institution they live in.

Deaf children

Deaf children may be more vulnerable because they:

• don’t have sufficient communication skills or vocabulary to describe what is happening to them
• have a system of communication that involves more touching
• may be living away from home, such as in a residential school
• lack the knowledge, awareness and language needed to stay safe and make informed choices.

Disabled children

While the vast majority of carers have the child’s best interests at heart, some children are abused by their carers. Disabled children may be more vulnerable because they:

• have communication difficulties, like speech problems
• are dependent on others for eating, dressing, toileting, and getting around
• lack personal, social and sexual education
• also, people may think a child is behaving differently just because of his or her disability – not realising that they are being abused.

Warning signs

A child may not be able to tell you that they are being abused, however you may be able to recognise some of the warning signs:

• sudden unexplained changes in behaviour
• signs of general distress or agitation
• new or unexplained marks or bruising
• sexualised behaviour
• loss of appetite
• self-harming
• soiling.

These signs do not necessarily mean that a child is being abused, but if you are concerned, contact our Helpline and talk to one of our advisers. We’re here 24/7 by phone and online. It’s free and you don’t have to say who you are.

Protection

If you think a child needs protection call the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000, text 88858, email help@nspcc.org.uk, use our online reporting form, sign via our webcam video service, or visit our Helpline page.

In addition, through our training resources, professionals can learn how to more effectively safeguard, and communicate with, deaf and disabled children.