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Staff attitudes towards sexuality in relation to gender of people with intellectual disability: a qualitative study
- Authors:
- YOUNG Rhea, GORE Nick, McCARTHY Michelle
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 37(4), December 2012, pp.343-347.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The aim of this study was to examine whether the gender of people with intellectual disability affects the attitudes of staff regarding their sexuality. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 people (7 female, 3 male) who worked directly with adults with intellectual disability in a variety of capacities. Thematic analysis of interview transcripts identified 3 themes: women are perceived as sexually innocent, men as more sexually motivated, and motivations for intimate relationships are perceived to differ between men and women with intellectual disability. The article presents the results with examples from the interviews. The authors report that the study indicates unfavourable attitudes towards sexuality in individuals with intellectual disability that correlate with traditional, restricted gender stereotypes, and suggest that their findings highlight the importance of considering gender when supporting the sexuality of people with intellectual disability.
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.
“Put bluntly, they are targeted by the worst creeps society has to offer”: Police and professionals' views and actions relating to domestic violence and women with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- McCARTHY Michelle, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 32(1), 2019, pp.71-81.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: Little is known about the attitudes and practices of key personnel towards the domestic violence experienced by women with intellectual disabilities. Method: An online survey was conducted of Police officers and health and social care professionals. A total of 717 Police and other professionals across a wide variety of UK sites responded. Research questions were focussed on direct experience, attitudes and responses. Results: Approximately half of all respondents had direct experience of working with a woman with intellectual disabilities who had been through domestic violence. Professionals were more likely than the Police to see women with intellectual disabilities as being especially vulnerable. The majority of both professionals and Police believed women with intellectual disabilities were deliberately targeted by violent and abusive men. Conclusions: More training is needed for both the Police and health and social care professionals specifically in domestic violence as it affects women with intellectual disabilities. (Edited publisher abstract)