Child maltreatment of children with disabilities in South Korea

Objectives The present study examined the extent and characteristics of child maltreatment among children with disabilities in South Korea. Method Data were obtained from reviewing and analyzing 256 case files maintained by... [ view full abstract ]

Objectives
The present study examined the extent and characteristics of child maltreatment among children with disabilities in South Korea.

Method
Data were obtained from reviewing and analyzing 256 case files maintained by the Korean National Child Protection Agency (KNCPA). Case files maintained by the KNCPA were initially extensively examined to determine types of information available in the records and variables extractable from the files. The data extraction form was then constructed to extract from the case files both quantitative and qualitative information regarding child victims and perpetrators. The data extraction form consisted of four sections measuring child victims’ characteristics, perpetrator characteristics, report source, and interventions. Quantitative data extracted from the case files were analyzed by using descriptive statistics. Further analyses were performed to explore the child maltreatment by various demographic factors (chi-square test).

Results
Results of this study showed that 4% of a total national sample of children who were victims of maltreatment had an identified disability and the rate was about 1.5 times higher than that in a Korean children population. In addition, the high rate of child maltreatment occurred among girls with disabilities or children with disabilities aged 7-12 years. Most perpetrators were biological parents who tended to be poor and less education. The great majority of child victims continued to stay their homes but only 18.4% of the victims received services or therapeutic interventions.

Conclusions
The present study documents the current circumstances of child maltreatment of children with disabilities in South Korea. Its results have important implications for prevention and intervention for South Korea as well as Asian societies which share similar cultural heritage and rapid social and economic changes. It also contributes to the international campaign against child maltreatment by providing a cross-cultural perspective and information on child maltreatment among children with disabilities.