Abuse of the disabled
Laura Rosen Cohen of the National Post is horrified by some recent news stories of abuse inflicted on the disabled. How can we protect the vulnerable?
As the parent of a child with special needs, I was particularly repulsed and revolted by the story of the torture of a mentally disabled young man from Hamilton by four people, including a 17-year old boy. Police said he had been burned, tortured, beaten, had broken bones and a fractured skull. Near death when police finally found and rescued him, it was reported that investigators believed that the young man knew his attackers and trusted them. The torture suspects were promptly charged with an additional assault of another mentally handicapped man that allegedly occurred late last year.
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On March 11, the Toronto Star carried a very brief item from Durham, Ontario regarding a 70-year old volunteer who was arrested in connection with the sexual assault of a mentally disabled man that he had “assisted.”
A commenter named jane26 adds a pertinent insight.
The vulnerable must be protected, but society has already proclaimed that abortion is a woman’s right. When we don’t protect the unborn, society is also saying that the eldery [sic] and special-needs children are also at risk.
If the smallest and weakest human beings do not deserve legal protection, should it be surprising that other vulnerable people are also targeted?
The International Coalition on Abuse and Disability has more on the Hamilton torture case here and here.
[...] FUN WITH Abuse of the disabled …. [...]