ments fall within the same level of risk as do their
other disabled peers. Adult caregivers should be
aware of this and should be alert to the possibility
of sexual abuse being perpetrated against chil-
dren with visual impairments. Many children who
suffer sexual abuse exhibit certain behaviors
which may point to that fact. Therefore, it is the
responsibility of caregivers, professionals, and re-
searchers to advocate for greater attention to the
topic in order to decrease the incidence of sexual
abuse occurring among children who are visually
impaired.
References
Garbarino, J., Brookhouser, P. E., & Authier, K. J.
(1987). Special children, special risks. Pis-
cataway, NJ: Transaction Publishers.
Kapperman, G., & Kelly, S. M. (2013). Sex educa-
tion instruction for students who are visually
impaired: Recommendations to guide practitio-
ners. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blind-
ness, 107, 226-230.
Sobsey, D. (1994). Violence and abuse in the
Lives of People with Disabilities: The end of
the silent acceptance? Baltimore, MD: Paul H.
Brookes Publishing Co.
Stop It Now!. (2008a). For parents of children with
disabilities: How to talk to your child to re-
duce vulnerability of sexual abuse. Retrieved
from http://www.stopitnow.org/files/8.5x11-
ReduceVulnerability-Disabilities-print.pdf
Stop It Now!. (2008b). Warning signs in children
and adolescents of possible child sexual
abuse. Retrieved from http://
www.stopitnow.org/files/warning_signs_child_
behaviors_0.pdf
Westat, Inc. (1994). A report on the maltreatment
of children with disabilities. Washington, DC:
National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect.
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