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Adolescents with learning disabilities who show sexually inappropriate or abusive behaviours: development of a research study
- Authors:
- FYSON Rachel, EADIE Tina, COOKE Pam
- Journal article citation:
- Child Abuse Review, 12(5), September 2003, pp.305-314.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This paper sets out some key issues regarding sexual abuse perpetrated by adolescents with a learning disability. The limited evidence currently available is largely anecdotal or from small-scale/case studies, but emphasizes that much behaviour of this kind never comes to the attention of either statutory social services or the criminal justice system. It is argued here that statutory services should be involved in such cases in order both to protect potential victims and to improve the ongoing life chances of alleged perpetrators. Specifically, it is posited that only by naming this problem can professionals hope to make effective interventions. The various organizational structures and systems adopted by four social services departments are outlined and their possible impacts on case outcomes are discussed. Little empirical research has so far been undertaken in this highly sensitive area, but an initiative from The Ann Craft Trust (formerly NAPSAC) aims to provide new evidence to help shape future best practice in this field.