SAFETY STRATEGIES
SAFETY GOALS
NICOLE
REDUCING THE RISK OF ABUSE WITH CHILDREN WITH DISABILITY
Keeping Individuals with Exceptional Needs Safe Through Education and Resources
By Nicole Moehring
L
et me introduce myself and the reason for this column. My name is Nicole Moehring. I am a wife, the mother of two children, an advocate for children with disabilities, and the founder of Voices of Change 2018 (VOC18). My daughter, Maci, is neurotypical, and my son, Evan, was diagnosed with Fragile X Syndrome and autism at 14 months old. Ever since my children were young, I taught them about body safety, stranger danger, and to come to me immediately if they felt unsafe around someone. What I didn’t know—because no one talks about child abuse—was children with disabilities are more likely to be victims of abuse by someone they or their family knows and trusts. According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, in 2009, 11% of all child abuse victims had a physical, cognitive, and/or behavioral disability, and children with disabilities are almost two times more likely to be physically or sexually abused or neglected than children without disabilities.
his healing process. However, finding resources, supports, or trauma-responsive mental health clinicians trained to work with children with disabilities who have been victims of sexual abuse isn’t easy. My daughter Maci and I founded Voices of Change 2018 (VOC18), a nonprofit organization, to begin making much-needed change for children like my son, Evan. VOC18 is a national organization piloting our groundbreaking programs in Ohio. We are developing preventative education and training for children
I never thought it would happen to my child. But in 2016, my worst nightmare came true. My son disclosed he had been sexually abused by someone we knew and trusted. Throughout the process of seeking justice, my son was treated as different and discriminated against. It was heart-wrenching to know he had already suffered unthinkable trauma; being treated so poorly by people who were supposed to be protecting him only made matters worse. I experienced many challenges in trying to navigate the criminal justice system as there are few protocols in place to help children with disabilities. I was on my own to find help for our family and resources for my son to begin
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