Children with disabilities need protection too! : a module to improve investigative practices of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary when interviewing children with disabilities

Ryan, Trina Catherine (2001) Children with disabilities need protection too! : a module to improve investigative practices of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary when interviewing children with disabilities. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

[English] PDF - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. Download (3MB)

Abstract

Children with disabilities are faced, on a daily basis, with challenges and obstacles that affect their quality of life. As a consequence of their disabilities, they are often reliant on others to provide basic care. It is this relationship that society as well as the disabled child assumes is with a caregiver who is trustworthy and responsible. Unfortunately, current statistics reveal otherwise and too many children with disabilities have been subject to abuse. -- In today's society, children with disabilities are recognized as having equal rights and are protected under the same laws as everyone else. However, these laws and the agencies that protect children have not adequately recognized that children with disabilities require adjustments and understanding to make sure that they are protected. One cannot assume because a child has a disability that they are not capable of understanding or communicating what they are feeling or what they may have experienced. The purpose of this module is to provide information about children with disabilities and to develop an understanding of what types of strategies may be utilized when interviewing a child with a disability. The strategies provided will assist police officers designated to conduct interviews with these children to be cognizant of the best approach to use with a child with a particular disability. The module is expected to be used as an insert for the current training manual used by the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary.

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