often removed from their families at birth or immediately following a medical diagnosis, at times against the expressed wishes of the parents. In an assessment of alternative care in 21 countries, it was found that in 13 countries, disability was listed as the of a child being placed in alternative care. In 2007, ‘root cause’ one third of children in alternative care in Eastern Europe were children with disabilities. The number of children in institutions in Serbia declined by 63% between 2000 and 2011, whilst the number of children with disabilities declined by only 37%. Girls with disabilities in many parts of the world are more likely to be institutionalised. Children with disabilities in institutions tend to face a chronic deficit of physical and emotional attention and affection. Research indicates that children with disabilities in institutions are 1.8 times more likely to be neglected and 2.8 times more likely to be emotionally neglected. Children with disabilities are more vulnerable to neglect, exploitation and violence International research has shown that children with disabilities are almost four times as likely as their peers to suffer from physical violence and three times as likely from sexual violence. Children with mental or intellectual disabilities were found to be almost five times more likely to be victims of sexual abuse than peers without disabilities. Children in institutional settings are also more prone to physical, sexual and emotional abuse and this is exacerbated for children with disabilities. The added stress or shame of looking after a child with a disability may cause family tension, neglect and abuse. Data from 15 countries showed that severe physical punishment was more likely to be meted out by family members on children with disability in seven of those countries. In severe cases this neglect and abuse may even lead to infanticide or so called a crime attracting lower penalties in many countries. ‘mercy killings’ –
often removed from their families at birth or immediately following a medical diagnosis, at times against the expressed wishes of the parents. In an assessment of alternative care in 21 countries, it was found that in 13 countries, disability was listed as the ‘root cause’ of a child being placed in alternative care. In 2007, one third of children in alternative care in Eastern Europe were children with disabilities. The number of children in institutions in Serbia declined by 63% between 2000 and 2011, whilst the number of children with disabilities declined by only 37%. Girls with disabilities in many parts of the world are more likely to be institutionalised. Children with disabilities in institutions tend to face a chronic deficit of physical and emotional attention and affection. Research indicates that children with disabilities in institutions are 1.8 times more likely to be neglected and 2.8 times more likely to be emotionally neglected. Children with disabilities are more vulnerable to neglect, exploitation and violence International research has shown that children with disabilities are almost four times as likely as their peers to suffer from physical violence and three times as likely from sexual violence. Children with mental or intellectual disabilities were found to be almost five times more likely to be victims of sexual abuse than peers without disabilities. Children in institutional settings are also more prone to physical, sexual and emotional abuse and this is exacerbated for children with disabilities. The added stress or shame of looking after a child with a disability may cause family tension, neglect and abuse. Data from 15 countries showed that severe physical punishment was more likely to be meted out by family members on children with disability in seven of those countries. In severe cases this neglect and abuse may even lead to infanticide or so called ‘mercy killings’ – a crime attracting lower penalties in many countries.
globalstatusreport2015prototype.docx