Looking into abuse: research by people with learning disabilities

Author:
HOWARTH Joyce
Journal article citation:
Llais, 103, Summer 2012, pp.12-15.
Publisher:
Learning Disability Wales

People with learning disabilities are acknowledged as one of the most vulnerable groups in society. Studies give estimates of the numbers who have been victims of abuse ranging from 30 – 50%. Identification of abuse is recognised as problematic, so the issue could be even greater than these figures suggest. It is usually staff who are asked to report abuse, with little involvement of the people who have been affected. This article describes a unique project that involved people with a learning disability as researchers into abuse, rather than just being passive subjects of research. Ten years ago the Unit for Development in Intellectual Disabilities (UDID) at the University of Glamorgan brought together an advisory group of people with learning disabilities. Named TRAC, the Teaching and Research Advisory Committee meets monthly and advises on teaching and research initiatives from their position as experts in living with learning disabilities. The author describes the work that has been done.

Subject terms:
learning disabilities, participatory research, user participation, adult abuse;
Location(s):
Wales
ISSN print:
0952-4398

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