Disabled child abuse under-reported: study

Abuse of disabled children in Australia goes undetected because the victims are less likely to complain, a new report says.

(Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images Europe

The Children with Disability Australia policy paper was released in Sydney on Tuesday.

The report said there was a lack of data on the prevalence of abuse of children with disabilities.

"It is likely that abuse is under-reported by children and young people with disability," the report said.

Reasons for under-reporting include lack of support to make a complaint, children not having the language skills to name the harm they are experiencing and feelings of intimidation and fear.

The report said there was evidence that neglect of children with disabilities was sometimes poorly recognised by people in a position to take action against it.

There was an urgent need for prevention strategies to be adopted at state and national level, it said.

The federal government should establish an independent statutory authority charged with the protection of children with a disability.

The body would need broad powers to protect and investigate exploitation, violence and abuse.