This paper addresses the scope, nature and incidence of sexual abuse of deaf children and the behavioral/emotional characteristics of sexually abused children and adolescents. The authors also address issues in the prevention, intervention and reporting of abuse. Specific resources which can be contacted for assistance, consultation or diagnostic treatment services for suspected or identified victims of child sexual abuse are described.
Evidence suggests that handicapped children are at increased risk for abuse and neglect. Communicatively impaired youngsters are particularly vulnerable because of their limited ability to report the maltreatment. Of 482 abused handicapped children evaluated at Boys Town National Research Hospital, 212 had hearing impairment, 87 speech language disorders, 39 learning disorders, 43 behavioral-emotional disturbances, 74 mental retardation, 5 visual impairment, 3 cleft lip or palate, and 19 other disorders. The perpetrator was either a relative or a "trusted other" in 97.2% of sexual abuse cases. Handicapped males were much more likely to be victims of sexual abuse than nonhandicapped males in the general population. Children being educated in residential schools were more likely to be sexually abused than mainstreamed youngsters. These children may be at risk for abuse from a wide variety of potential perpetrators, including teachers, dormitory counselors, van drivers, clergy, classroom aides, older students, peer siblings, scout leaders, abused peers, baby-sitters, and custodians.
As a primary physician for most deaf children, the otolaryngologist must be able to identify signs and symptoms of sexual abuse. Child sexual abuse is a topic of national concern as epidemiologic data indicate more than 100,000 American children become victims annually. This paper provides an overview of the incidence, demographic characteristics, risk factors, and dynamics of child sexual abuse within both the general handicapped and, specifically, the hearing imparied populations. Strategies for identifying the sexually abused hearing impaired child are delineated including the physical appearance and behavioral manifestations of child victims, as well as the characteristics of abusive caretakers and perpetrators. Case summaries are presented which illustrate these characteristics. A national center specializing in the evaluation and treatment of abused handicapped children is described.
Dual‐stage filtration (DSF) in packaged form is a good alternative to conventional rapid‐rate filtration for small utilities. The purpose of the study described in this article was to test the effectiveness of DSF for removing Giardia cysts from low turbidity (<;1 ntu), low temperature (near 32°F [0°C]) water. Removals of total coliform bacteria and turbidity were also determined. Two different water sources were tested, with runs up to 35 h in length. Dual‐stage filtration removed >;99 percent of Giardia cysts from waters with a turbidity of <;1 ntu and a temperature of <;46°F (<;8°C), when proper chemical treatment was applied and the system was operated at 10 gpm/sq ft (6.8 mm/s) or less. Removal of total coliform bacteria exceeded 98 percent, and removal of turbidity exceeded 90 percent.
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