Abuse of children with disabilities from the parents' point of view in the light of some variables in Bethlehem Governorate

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the forms of abuse to which children with disabilities are exposed in Bethlehem Governorate, and to identify the group of people with disabilities who are most vulnerable to abuse, in addition to know the age group most exposed to abuse, and to explain the parents’ point of view regarding abuse of their children with disabilities. Accordingly, the researcher relied on data resources that are related to the subject of the study, and then collected needed data through a questionnaire. The sample of the study included 120 parents of children with disabilities, who were selected by random sampling method. After collecting the data, it was statistically analyzed using the statistical package program SPSS V. 23. The results revealed that the total degree of all abuse dimensions of children with disabilities from the perspectives of their parents in light of some variables in Bethlehem Governorate was moderate. In which, dimensions of children with disabilities abuse were ranked in order of their importance as: verbal abuse, physical abuse, and then neglect. Moreover, The study showed that there were statistically significant differences due to the variable gender of the guardian, and the place of residence variable, in favor of camp residents over both village and city residents. In addition, there were statistically significant differences due to the age variable of the child with a disability, in favor of those whose ages ranged from “6-10 years” and those of “from 11-18 years”, rather than children with disabilities aged 3-5 years.