One child with disability murdered is one child too many

MANY of us who work with children with disabilities, are care partners, or are persons with disabilities, were heartbroken this week when we heard about the terrible and inhumane abuse and killing of a six-year-old disabled girl in Sarawak on Jan 6. This poor girl was abused, murdered and then stuffed into a sack before being dumped in the bushes.

We are not new to hearing about abuse or murder of children with disabilities. International data suggests abuse in children with disabilities is three to five times higher than in non-disabled children, and Malaysia is no different. Although we lack local community studies, it is estimated that 50% of all children with disabilities experience some form of abuse.