Those who abuse children are found among all religious, ethnic, and socio-economic groups. Most often, the abuser is someone closely related to the child, such as a parent, step-parent, or another care giver. Rarely is the abuser a total stranger. The neglect and abuse of children is unacceptable. It is always emotionally devastating, not only to the child but to the entire family.
Schools play a significant role in the lives of children and their families.
As all children must attend school, teachers, principals, and school support personnel play an important role in protecting children from abuse and neglect through reporting suspected abuse. Not only does abuse result in physical, medical or psychological harm to children, but some disabilities are directly caused by abuse. Gender, too, plays a role in the frequency of abuse. In a 1987 survey of women with disabilities, carried out by DAWN Toronto, and funded by the Ministry of Community and Social Services, discovered girls who are disabled are perceived as ideal target s because their disabilities may mean they are unable to flee or communicate easily. The very fact that they are female, smaller, and socialized to be passive may, again, increase the risk of abuse.