HC Deb 09 November 2001 vol 374 cc471-2W
Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many pieces of Government-funded research there have been on the subject of abuse of disabled children in the last five years. [11414]

Jacqui Smith

There have not been any Government-funded studies which look specifically at the abuse of disabled children.

However, the Department has recently commissioned a study to consider the symptoms of abuse in people who have severe learning disabilities. The study will examine the nature of the psychological harm caused to people with learning disabilities who are subject to physical and/or sexual abuse. Its aim is to improve the ability of staff and carers to identify and act on abuse, to identify the needs of the victims and to assist them in obtaining access to the judicial process.

We have identified three other current or recent studies from the National Research Register, which are considering or have considered the abuse of children with learning disabilities. Further details of all these studies have been placed in the Library.

There are a number of other studies that look more broadly at all children who are the victims of abuse which also encompass children with disability.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much related training material has been funded by the Government since the publication of the ABCD Pack in 1992. [11412]

Jacqui Smith

The available United Kingdom evidence on the extent of abuse among disabled children suggests that disabled children are at increased risk of abuse, and that the presence of multiple disabilities appears to increase the risk of both abuse and neglect.

That is why the Department funded, in partnership with the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, a second training resource pack entitled "Turning Points". It is also why in our "Working Together to Safeguard Children" child protection guidance and in the practice guidance and training pack underpinning the "Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families" we have been careful to refer to this evidence base and to the need for particular attention to be paid to promoting a high level of awareness of the risks to this group of children and to high standards of practice.