Understanding parent and community perspectives of sexual victimization, perpetration, and protection of adolescent girls with developmental disabilities: A qualitative study

This study investigates the perceptions of parents and community members in urban northwestern Bangladesh regarding the sexual victimization, perpetration, and protection of adolescent girls with developmental disabilities. The authors aim to understand the dynamics of vulnerability and protective responses, revealing that factors such as caregiver workload, economic precarity, and stigma contribute to the risk of abuse, while highlighting the need for culturally responsive and disability-inclusive safeguarding measures. The findings emphasize the importance of improving reporting pathways and support systems to enhance protection for these vulnerable girls.