Abstract
This paper provides biographical and other data on the 185 people with learning disabilities referred to a specialist sex education service over a five year period. Their diverse range of needs are highlighted. Attention is paid to the different experiences of women and men. Prevalence figures of sexual abuse are given. A strong case is made for the development of further specialist services.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
McCarthy, M. & Thompson, D: Sex and the 3 Rs: rights, responsibilities and risks. Hove, Pavilion, 1993
McCarthy, M. & Thompson, D: Sex and Staff Training. Brighton, Pavilion, 1994
McCarthy, M. & Thompson, D: Prevalence study of sexual abuse amongst people with learning disabilities referred for sex education, (forthcoming).
McCarthy, M: Against All Odds: HIV and safer sex education for women with learning difficulties.In Doyal, L., Naidoo, J. & Wilton, T. (eds) AIDS: Setting a Feminist Agenda. London, Taylor and Francis, 1994, pp 171–182
Baxter, C.: Sex education in the multiracial society.In Craft, A. (ed) Practice Issues in Sexuality and Learning Disabilities. London, Routledge, 1994, pp 81–91
Baxter, C.: Confronting colour blindness: developing better services for people with learning difficulties from Black and ethnic minority communities.In Philpot, T and Ward, L. (eds) Values and Visions: Changing ideas in services for people with learning difficulties. Oxford, Butterworth-Heinemann, 1995, pp 206–217
McCarthy, M. & Thompson, D: Sexual Abuse By Design: an examination of the issues in learning disability services. Disability and Society, (in press).
Dunne, T. and Power, A.: Sexual abuse and mental handicap: preliminary findings of a community-based study. Mental Handicap Research, 3, 111–125, 1990
Buchanan, A. and Wilkins, R.: Sexual abuse of the mentally handicapped: difficulties in establishing prevalence. Psychiatric Bulletin, 15, 601–5, 1991
Hard, S & Plumb, W: Sexual abuse of persons with developmental disabilities: a case study.Unpublished manuscript. 1987
Thompson, D: Profiling the sexually abusive behaviour of men with learning disabilities, (forthcoming)
Thompson, D: Men with learning disabilities who sexually abuse: a review of the literature. (forthcoming)
Panos Institute: Triple Jeopardy: Women and AIDS. London, Panos Publications Ltd, 1990
Richardson, D: Aids: Issues for feminism in the UK.In Doyal, L., Naidoo, J. and Wilton, T. (eds) Aids: Setting a Feminist Agenda. London, Taylor and Francis, 1994, pp 42–57
Mattinson, J.: Marriage and Mental Handicap. London, Duckworth, 1970
McCarthy, M: Sexual experiences and sexual abuse of women with learning disabilities.In Hester, M., Kelly, L. & Radford, J. (eds) Women, Violence and Male Power: Feminist Research, Activism and Practice. Milton Keynes: Open University Press (in press)
McCarthy, M.: Sexual experiences of women with learning difficulties in long-stay hospitals. Sexuality and Disability, 11, 4, 277–86, 1993
Millard, L.: Between Ourselves: experiences of a women's group on sexuality and sexual abuse.In Craft, A. (ed)Practice Issues in Sexuality and Learning Disabilities. London, Routledge, 1994, pp 135–155
Thompson, D: Sexual experience and sexual identity for men with learning disabilities who have sex with men. Changes, 12, 4, 254–263, 1994
McCarthy, M. & Thompson, D: (forthcoming) op cit. Prevalence study of sexual abuse amongst people with learning disabilities referred for sex education.
Brown, H., Stein, J. & Turk, V: Report of a second two year incidence survey on the reported sexual abuse of adults with learning disabilities: 1991 and 1992. Mental Handicap Research, 8, 1, 3–24, 1995
Hard, S. & Plumb, W: (1987) op cit. Sexual abuse of persons with developmental disabilities: a case study.Unpublished manuscript. 1987
McCarthy, M: A review of theory and practice on sexual abuse and learning disability, (forthcoming).
Brown, H: Lost in the System: acknowledging the sexual abuse of adults with learning disabilities. Care In Place, 1, 2, 145–157, 1994
Thompson, D.: The sexual experiences of men with learning disabilities having sex with men—issues for HIV prevention. Sexuality and Disability, 12, 3, 221–242, 1994
McCarthy, M. (1993) op cit. A review of theory and practice on sexual abuse and learning disability, (forthcoming).
Simpson, D.: Sexual abuse and people with learning difficulties: developing access to community services. London: Family Planning Association, 1994
McCarthy, M: (1993) op cit. A review of theory and practice on sexual abuse and learning disability, (forthcoming).
Morris, S: Personal communication, 26.10.95
Thompson, D.op cit. (1994b)
Cambridge, P., Davies, S., Nichol, J., Thompson, D., Morris, S. and Corbett, A.: Men with learning disabilities who have sex with men in public places. Canterbury: University of Kent, 1993
Thompson, D.:op cit., (1994b)
McLeod, J: More than one barrier: HIV and AIDS and men with intellectual disabilities who have sex with men. An educational needs assessment. Australia: Victoria AIDS Council, (unpublished manuscript).
Simpson, D.op cit., (1994).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Learning disabilities is the preferred term in Britain for what was previously known as mental handicap. In an international context it can be used interchangeably with developmental disability (mental retardation) or intellectual impairment.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
McCarthy, M. The sexual support needs of people with learning disabilities: A profile of those referred for sex education. Sex Disabil 14, 265–279 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02590099
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02590099