In order to look at current practices in recording the abuse of disabled children, a questionnaire was sent out to the 121 Chairs of the Area Child Protection Committees in the United Kingdom. Of the 73 responders, over 50% claimed to identify the disability of an abused child but only 10% could given an actual figure. The lack of statistical evidence made it impossible to calculate anything except an approximation of the rate of abuse of disabled children. Schedules completed over a period of 1 year in two Social Services Departments for all disabled children who were conferenced for abuse showed that they were less likely to be put on the child protection register than a 'Disabled children less likely to be put on the child protection register' comparison group of non-disabled children. Semi-structured interviews with eight of the key workers for the disabled children revealed that they were concerned that there was a tendency 'not to see' the abuse of disabled children and they did not feel there was sufficient training regarding the interface between abuse and disabilities. Taking into account the responses to the study, a number of national and local recommendations were made.

Summary The new legislation contained within the UK Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999, which comes into force in 2001, offers ‘special measures’ to enable vulnerable witnesses to give improved evidence in court. The present paper examines these measures and considers the guidelines which have been prepared to implement the legislation. The Guidance, currently contained within a Home Office Consultation Paper, Achieving Best Evidence in Criminal Proceedings: Guidance for Vulnerable or Intimidated Witnesses, including Children, emphasizes the need for early identification of witnesses with learning disabilities, and offers suggestions regarding identification and the type of support which should be offered in terms of attitude, conditions, practice and language.

This paper sets out some key issues regarding sexual abuse perpetrated by adolescents with a learning disability. The limited evidence currently available is largely anecdotal or from small-scale/ case studies, but emphasizes that much behaviour of this kind never comes to the attention of either statutory social services or the criminal justice system. It is argued here that statutory services should be involved in such cases in order both to protect potential victims and to improve the ongoing life chances of alleged perpetrators. Specifically, it is posited that only by naming this problem can professionals hope to make effective interventions. The various organizational structures and systems adopted by four social services departments are outlined and their possible impacts on case outcomes are discussed. Little empirical research has so far been undertaken in this highly sensitive area, but an initiative from The Ann Craft Trust (formerly NAPSAC) aims to provide new evidence to help shape future best practice in this field.

One of the recommendations in the 'Speaking up for justice' report, suggested that the Home Office develop further material to assist vulnerable witnesses to prepare for their attendance at court. The virtual courtroom provides one of the first and most innovative of such solutions.

As part of the Journal's series of profiles of UK organisations working in the field of vulnerable adults and adult abuse the work of the Ann Craft Trust (formerly NAPSAC) is outlined by it's Director and Co‐ordinator. As one of the UK's first campaigning and educational organisations for adult protection, the Trust can justifiably claim some credit for the upturn in awareness and policy development over the last decade.