Peer-reviewed article
From the day they are born: a qualitative study exploring violence against children with disabilities in West Africa
Janet E. Njelesani, Goli Hashemi, Cathy Cameron, Debra Cameron, D Richard et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This qualitative study examines violence experienced by children with disabilities in four West African countries: Guinea, Niger, Sierra Leone, and Togo. Researchers collected data from 419 children, community members, and disability stakeholders through interviews and focus groups. The study found that children with disabilities experience more violence than non-disabled children, that violence starts from birth, and that community participation patterns shape their exposure to violence.
Key points
- Children with disabilities experience higher rates of violence than non-disabled children in West African settings
- Episodes of violence against children with disabilities begin at birth
- The way children with disabilities participate in their communities contributes to their different experiences of violence
- Violence against disabled children is expected to be higher in LMICs due to stigma, limited family resources, and acceptance of corporal punishment
- Prevention programs should include children and families in developing strategies to address violence
Limitations
As a qualitative study, this research provides rich descriptive insights but does not quantify the prevalence or measure the effectiveness of interventions. The findings are based on observations and experiences shared by community stakeholders rather than direct measurement of violence incidents.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Despite the building evidence on violence against children globally, almost nothing is known about the violence children with disabilities in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) experience. The prevalence of violence against children with disabilities can be expected to be higher in LMICs where there are greater stigmas associated with having a child with a disability, less resources for families who have children with disabilities, and wider acceptance of the use of corporal punishment to discipline children. This study explores violence experienced by children with disabilities based on data collected from four countries in West Africa- Guinea, Niger, Sierra Leone, and Togo. METHODS: A qualitative study design guided data generation with a total of 419 children, community members, and disability stakeholders. Participants were selected using purposive sampling. Stakeholders shared their observations of or experiences of violence against children with disabilities in their community in interviews and focus groups. Thematic analysis guided data analysis and identified patterns of meaning among participants' experiences. RESULTS: Results illuminate that children with disabilities experience violence more than non-disabled children, episodes of violence start at birth, and that how children with disabilities participate in their communities contributes to their different experiences of violence. CONCLUSIONS: The study recommends policy-oriented actions and prevention programs that include children and their families in strategizing ways to address violence.