Data shows that one out of ten disabled children experience violence at kindergarten or day care centers. (Image : Pixabay)
SEOUL, Feb.18 (Korea Bizwire) – Data shows that one out of ten disabled children experience violence at kindergarten or day care centers.
The National Human Rights Commission of Korea announced that it conducted a survey of 1,215 teachers, managers working at special schools, day care centers and kindergartens for disabled children, and parents of disabled children in October and November 2015. Almost one quarter of the respondents answered that disabled children experience discrimination at education facilities.
The study revealed that 10.2 percent of those surveyed (124 respondents) said children experienced physical violence such as hitting.
Another 6.9 percent (84 respondents) answered that disabled children were verbally harassed or made fun of, and 6.7 percent (81 respondents) answered that they were picked on or bullied.
The results also showed that 6.3 percent (77 respondents) were rejected when requesting assistance such as transportation support, while 5.3 percent (64 respondents) were discriminated against with regards to equal education opportunities, and 5 percent (61 respondents) experienced privacy invasion.
A small number (0.7 percent, eight respondents) even answered that disabled children were sexually harassed.
Physical and verbal violence, bullying, inequitable education opportunities and discrimination occurred in the classroom, while sexual harassment and privacy invasion also occurred outside of regular class time.
Based on the results of the survey, the human rights commission held a conference to discuss ways to improve the treatment of disabled children.
As recent data shows that the disabled are five times more likely to commit suicide, officials say that policies should be reevaluated to improve the rights of the disabled. With a lack of education and information leading to social problems for the disabled, proper measures must be taken before the situation deteriorates further.
By Francine Jung (francine.jung@kobizmedia.co.kr)
