Commenting on research published today into the heightened vulnerability to sexual exploitation of learning disabled children and young people Anne Longfield, Children’s Commissioner for England said:
“This research highlights how important it is to ensure that the needs of learning disabled children and young people are taken into account in work to tackle child sexual exploitation. The evidence is that learning disabled young people are more likely than those who are not to be sexually exploited so professionals need to be better equipped at responding to their needs. Earlier this year, the Government set out a national plan to tackle child sexual exploitation – organisations must consider the findings of this research in their responses to it.”
The report, ‘Unprotected, Overprotected’, was commissioned by Comic Relief and undertaken by Barnardo’s, The Children’s Society, British Institute of Learning Disabilities, Paradigm Research and Coventry University.
