Search results for ‘Author:"mccarthy michelle"’ Sort:
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'All I wanted was a happy life': the struggles of women with learning disabilities to raise their children while also experiencing domestic violence
- Author:
- McCARTHY Michelle
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gender-Based Violence, 3(1), 2019, pp.101-118.
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
Women with learning disabilities are especially vulnerable to domestic violence from partners. The lives of mothers with learning disabilities who experience domestic violence are very challenging. This in-depth qualitative study of six mothers with learning disabilities in the UK uses interpretative phenomenological analysis to explore the impact of domestic violence on the women and children. The women reported violent conceptions and violent pregnancies, perpetrators sabotaging the mother–child bond, living with a broad spectrum of abuse and their feelings about having their children removed from their care. Recommendations are made for professional and informal support of these women. (Edited publisher abstract)
‘What kind of abuse is him spitting in my food?’: reflections on the similarities between disability hate crime, so-called ‘mate’ crime and domestic violence against women with intellectual disabilities
- Author:
- McCARTHY Michelle
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Society, 32(4), 2017, pp.595-600.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Domestic violence against women with learning disabilities is a wholly under-researched topic. A recent study indicated that there are strong parallels between domestic violence, disability hate crime and ‘mate’ crime. This article explores these similarities and argues that rather than treating them as discrete phenomena, we need to make the connections and re-affirm the commitment that feminist scholars and activists made long ago, namely to take violence committed in private as seriously as that committed in public. (Publisher abstract)
What are the support needs of women with learning disabilities who have been abused?
- Author:
- McCARTHY Michelle
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 21(1), 2016, pp.39-42.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: In discussing some of the issues arising from the article by Angela Olsen and Catherine Carter, the purpose of this paper is to draw readers’ attention to the various support needs women with learning disabilities may have. Design/methodology/approach: Critical analysis based on review of literature and the author’s research and practice-based experience. Findings: Women with learning disabilities have similar support needs to other women who have experienced violence and abuse. However, in order to get their needs met, they need access to information, support from professionals and to share experiences with other women. Originality/value: This commentary encourages readers to view the abuse of women with learning disabilities in a broad social context and to use all the knowledge available to protect and empower individuals, whilst at the same time demanding social changes to end discrimination and abuse. (Publisher abstract)
Brick by brick: building up our knowledge base on the abuse of adults with learning disabilities
- Author:
- McCARTHY Michelle
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 19(3), 2014, pp.130-133.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: This commentary encourages readers to take a broad view of abuse of people with learning disabilities and to use all the knowledge available to support individuals, whilst at the same time demanding social changes. Design/methodology/approach: Whilst acknowledging the continued importance of research studies specifically focused on the topic of abuse, this commentary reviews information about abuse of adults with learning disabilities from other sources, e.g., through service audits, studies on sexual and personal relationships. Findings: Having many sources of information about abuse against people with learning disabilities is a good thing, but there are some problems associated with this. First, some forms of abuse appear to be easier to find out about than others, and second, the difficult question of how the information can be used to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities. (Edited publisher abstract)
Exercising choice and control - women with learning disabilities and contraception
- Author:
- McCARTHY Michelle
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 38(4), December 2010, pp.293-302.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This research project investigated contraception use amongst women with learning disabilities. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were held with 23 women with learning disabilities, aged between 20 and 51, about their experience of being prescribed contraception. In addition, a postal survey was returned by 162 general practitioners across two counties in England which included questions about their contraception prescribing practices to women with learning disabilities, and how they dealt with issues of capacity to consent to treatment. A service user group was also involved at different stages of the project. Most of the women reported that other people had made the key decisions about starting to use contraception and which method to use. Both the women and the doctors said they liked having a third party, such as a staff member or relative, present for the consultations. Many of the doctors were unclear about responding to issues of capacity to consent to treatment. The article discusses: the constraints on the women’s ability to make choices; the presence of carers in medical consultations; responding to capacity issues; and the need for training for healthcare professionals. An accessible research summary was produced to make the process and findings of the research available to the women with learning disabilities who took part in the study, as well as to any others who were interested, and extracts of this are included in this article.
What kind of future for young people with Down's Syndrome? The views and aspirations of young people and families
- Author:
- McCARTHY Michelle
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 15(4), October 2010, pp.30-33.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This commentary discusses the article by Jill Davies and Hazel Morgan in this journal issue. Davies and Morgan describe a project that explored the views and experiences of young people with Down’s Syndrome who were leading the lives of their choice, in order to tell these stories with a view to inspiring other young people with Down’s Syndrome. This commentary discusses how the project demonstrates that the young people who served as role models were all supported by proactive parents, who challenged what they saw as inadequate services, who drove change forward, and who provided a great deal of practical support themselves. It argues that it is not acceptable that only those people with learning disabilities with ‘pioneer’ parents get the services they need. This commentary concludes that it is refreshing how much the parents were actively trying to ascertain what their sons and daughters want for themselves. It argues that one weakness of the project is that it fails to address some key issues during transition to adulthood, such as drugs and sexual activity.
Drawing a line between consented and abusive sexual experiences: the complexities for women with learning difficulties
- Author:
- McCARTHY Michelle
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Adult Protection, 5(3), September 2003, pp.34-40.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Explores the sexual feelings of women with learning difficulties, highlighting the blurred nature of the boundary between abusive and consented sex. The article is based on formal research that took place with 17 women with learning difficulties. It also draws on the author's work experience with a much larger group of 70-80 women in the context of sex education and counselling, on an individual and group basis.
Going through the menopause: perceptions and experiences of women with intellectual disability
- Author:
- McCARTHY Michelle
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 27(4), December 2002, pp.281-295.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This article explores the perceptions, experiences and support needs of women with intellectual disability as they go through the menopause. Findings are presented from semi-structured interviews with 15 women with mild to moderate intellectual disability aged 43-65 years. Levels of knowledge about what the menopause was, when it happened, and whether it happened to all women, were found to be generally low. More significantly, the majority of the women did not understand the significance of the menopause on a woman's reproductive capacity. The women's experiences of change and transition were on a predominantly physical level, with some emotional effects, but little or no psychological and social impact noted.
Responses to women with learning disabilities as they go through the menopause
- Author:
- McCARTHY Michelle
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 7(1), January 2002, pp.4-12.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
The research investigated how women with learning disabilities understand and experience the menopause, and the support available. This paper reports the experiences and attitudes of those people to whom women with learning disabilities might turn for support. GPs generally reported re;actively little experience in treating women with learning disabilities for menopause-related symptoms and some recognised the need for pro-active work. Carers played a key role on facilitating women' s access to primary health care. Staff in residential and day services recognised the role they played in supporting women through the menopause, but were hampered by lack of time and resources. Mothers of middle-aged women with learning disabilities and viewed this transition positively. The need for specialist educational materials was emphasised by all who took in this research.
Women with learning disabilities-experiencing their sexuality in a healthy way
- Author:
- McCARTHY Michelle
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 6(1), January 2001, pp.16-21.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Outlines some of the factors which are important in helping or hindering women with learning disabilities to experience their sexuality in a positive and healthy way. Based on direct experience, the article presents the factors which must be present for women with learning disabilities to enjoy their sexuality: making choices, giving consent, receiving information, experiencing mutuality, experiencing pleasure, having self-esteem and having resource to the law if abused. Emphasises how important it is that women with learning disabilities and their supporters understand these factors.