The research is alarming: Special needs children are frequently victims of physical, emotional and sexual abuse in school. The culprits? Other students. Inadequate supervision and training contribute to unsafe environments where vulnerable students fall through the cracks. Learn more about why abuse happens and how schools can be held accountable.

1. WhoIs
Watching?
When Gaps in Supervision and
Training Lead to Abuse at School
PRESENTED BY

2. EveryChildDeserves A
MeaningfulEducation
InASafe,Appropriate
Environment.
But for vulnerable children with special needs, their safety is often
compromised in frightening ways.

3. TheAlarmingStatistic:
Children with disabilities are 3x more likely* to experience sexual abuse.

4. InThisPresentation,
We’llExamine:
• What kinds of abuse are most prevalent
• Who are the perpetrators
• Why this abuse happens
• Where it happens
• How to know it’s happening, and
• What to do about it

5. WHATKindsOf
AbuseDoChildren
WithSpecialNeeds
Suffer?
• Bullying
• Verbal and emotional abuse
• Assault and physical harm
• Sexual assault and rape

6. WHOAreThe
Perpetrators?
• In most cases, it’s not teachers, aides
or other adults who commit abuse.
• Rather, the culprits are other
students.

7. WHYDoesAbuseHappen?
• Inadequate supervision
• Neglect
• Lack of staff training
• Low standards for credentials (among teachers’ aides, etc.)
• Insufficient staff-to-student ratio

8. WHEREDoesItHappen?
• Public schools
• Private schools (some of which are for-profit)
• School buses
Transportation is a major risk for special needs students across
Southern California. School buses are often crowded and
chaotic, with numerous distractions and inadequate
supervision.

9. HOWDoYouKnowYourSpecialNeeds
Child IsSufferingFromNeglect OrAbuse?
Common warning signs:
• Physical injuries (bruises, etc.)
• Frequent, suspicious or
unexplained “accidents”
• Personality changes
• Social withdrawal
• Behavioral outbursts
• Depression

10. WHATCanYouDoAboutIt?
• Seek immediate treatment – medical evaluation, counselor/therapist
• Submit written complaint – to school, include everyone involved in IEP
• Document everything in writing – build a record
• Reach out to other parents – see if troubling patterns are unfolding
• Speak with an attorney – find a trusted lawyer who handles abuse cases

11. ConsiderLegalAction
(inconsultationwithanattorney)
Options might include:
• Lawsuit
• Mediation
• Changes to your child’s IEP (individualized education plan)
• Policy and legislative advocacy

12. LearnMore
Reach out to Ramey Law, P.C.:
Read our free white paper on this
important topic or contact us
online.
We are committed to fighting for
justice on behalf of children with
special needs.
© 2020 Ramey Law P.C. All rights reserved.
Design and editorial services by Super Lawyers,
part of Thomson Reuters.
*SOURCE:
Vera Institute of Justice, “Sexual Abuse of Children
with Disabilities: A National Snapshot” (March 2013),
http://www.ncdsv.org/images/Vera_Sexual-abuseof-
children-with-disabilities-national-snapshot_3-
2013.pdf
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