PARENTS' AWARENESS AND RESPONSES TO SIBLINGS’ VICTIMIZATION OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

Abstract

This study investigates parents’ awareness and responses to sibling victimization of children with disabilities. Despite being a recurring issue in Nigerian households, there is limited data on this subject. Research indicates that children with disabilities are over three times more likely to be abused or neglected than their non-disabled peers and face a greater risk of serious harm. The study utilized a descriptive survey design, guided by four research questions. The population consisted of 121 parents of children with disabilities from four Special Schools in Ibadan North Local Government Area, Oyo State. Data were collected using the Bystander Intervention on Bullying and Sexual Victimization Scale developed by Nickerson et al. (2014) and analyzed with SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science). Descriptive analysis included frequency and percentage. The findings revealed a significant incidence of sibling victimization among children with disabilities, with 90% of parents demonstrating a high level of awareness regarding the issue. 84.3% of respondents reported that their child with a disability experienced victimization by a sibling. The study recommended targeted intervention strategies and educational programs aimed at enhancing parental awareness and capacity to identify and effectively respond to sibling victimization. Such initiatives are essential for the safety and overall well-being of children with disabilities.