Injury and Violence Prevention

People with disabilities are at higher risk for injuries and violence. Data suggests that, when compared with the general population, persons with disabilities are victimized at much higher rates. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the rate of nonfatal violent crime against people with disabilities was about twice the rate for those without disabilities  Women with disabilities are particularly vulnerable to sexual abuse and intimate partner violence. Children with disabilities are vulnerable to bullying and harassment.

Keeping Children with Special Needs Safe in the Home
A a series of safety videos highlighting how you can take precautions in the home to help prevent injuries to children with physical, developmental or cognitive disabilities. Information is applicable to adults with disabilities as well.

Department of Justice's Resources on Crime Victims with Disabilities
Resources from the Office on Crime Victims designed to promote awareness of the issues faced by crime victims with disabilities and to improve each community’s capacity to better serve them.

National Criminal Justice Reference Service: Crime Victims with Disabilities
Repository of publications and resources from the Department of Justice for law enforcement personnel, policy makers, and disability service providers.

Maltreatment of Children with Disabilities
The purpose of this clinical report from the American Academy of Pediatrics is to ensure that children with disabilities are recognized as a population that is also at risk of maltreatment. Some conditions related to a disability can be confused with maltreatment. The need for early recognition and intervention of child abuse and neglect in this population, as well as the ways that a medical home can facilitate the prevention and early detection of child maltreatment, are the subject of this report.

Bullying

Bullying is a widespread and serious problem that can happen anywhere.  It is not a phase children have to go through, it is not "just messing around", and it is not something to grow out of.  Bullying can cause serious and lasting harm.

While both students with and without disabilities face significant negative emotional, educational and  physical results from bullying, students with disabilities are both uniquely vulnerable and disproportionately impacted by the bullying phenomenon.

Bullying Among Children and Youth with Special Needs
Fact sheet on research related to bullying and its effect on children and youth with disabilities.

Walk A Mile in Their Shoes
Report that educates parents and teachers about bullying and children with special needs and empowers them to take action and apply meaningful change in the classroom. Provides educational as well as legal options in an effort to prevent and/or fight back against bullies.