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Complainants with learning disabilities in sexual abuse cases: a 10-year review of a psycho-legal project in Cape Town, South Africa
- Authors:
- DICKMAN Beverley Jo, ROUX Amanda Jane
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 33(3), September 2005, pp.138-144.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The authors describe a project established in 1990 to assist complainants with learning disabilities in sexual assault cases in Cape Town, South Africa. Complainants are prepared for court and psychologists advise investigating officers and prosecutors, and provide expert testimony. This paper examines 100 cases seen over a 10-year period. The article describes the demographics and sexual abuse history of the cohort as well as documenting speed of investigation and outcome of the trials. Almost all charges were of rape and most complainants had learning disabilities in the mild or moderate categories. No men with learning disabilities were among the accused. Questions are raised about which cases are perceived as evidentially strong. The conviction rate of 28% was almost identical to the best conviction rate in such cases in the general population in South Africa. In contrast to recent research into conviction rates in South Africa, these cases appear to have been vigorously pursued.
Protecting vulnerable adults from sexual abuse
- Author:
- BRAMMER Alison
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Adult Protection, 2(3), September 2000, pp.50-53.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
In this article the legal situation relating to sexual activity and people with reduced capacity is considered. From the starting point of the recent, contentious case, the article goes on to examine the current state of legal protection and intervention, and looks at how this could be improved by current developments and possible future changes.
Pressure builds to revamp constant laws in the wake of failed rape charges
- Author:
- WINCHESTER Ruth
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 3.2.00, 2000, pp.10-11.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
A judge's ruling that submitting to "animal instincts" was tantamount to consent has added new impetus to efforts to alter the law to protect people with learning difficulties.
An ordeal shared
- Author:
- -
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 4.7.91, 1991, pp.20-21.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
Two female social workers give their account of counselling two women with learning difficulties, one of whom was raped whilst the other witnessed the rape.
Lack of conviction
- Author:
- SONE Kendra
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 8.6.95, 1995, pp.22-23.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
Vulnerable rape victims, and women with learning difficulties and mental health problems who are raped are being refused justice because the Crown Prosecution Service continues to let their attackers go free.