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Loving each other safely
- Authors:
- HOLLINS Shelia, BAILEY Helen, UPTON Jason
- Publisher:
- RCPsych Publications
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 66p.
- Place of publication:
- London
One of the Books Beyond Words series, this book aims to help young men with learning disabilities understand their own sexuality, choose what to do in a steady relationship and know how to stay healthy. The book has advice on safer sex and a list of resources and places to go for help. It uses pictures to tell the story of Ed as he gets a girlfriend and the of advice he needs they grow closer and decide they want to have sex.
The unexplored sexuality of people with learning disabilities in Malta: realities and possibilities
- Author:
- AZZOPARDI Claire
- Journal article citation:
- Learning Disability Today, 12(1), December 2011, pp.24-28.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
A sexually developing person with learning disabilities must be supported in order to learn social etiquette with the aim of establishing friendships and forming relationships. This paper describes how the societal attitudes of Maltese people towards the sexuality of people with learning disabilities is affecting their desire to live independent, fulfilled lives. The paper presents results from a small qualitative study, using verbal reports and semi-structured interviews, designed to allow participants to talk about issues they felt were most important to them. Participants reported experiencing negative attitudes towards them when out in the community. Inaccessible social and entertainment venues were reported to hinder the social opportunities available. Local transport for wheelchair users was reported to be limited. The paper concludes that services need to promote an inclusive society, backed up by policies to promote equal opportunities, in order that the general Maltese public are more tolerant towards people with learning and physical disabilities.
Same-sex relationships and women with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- BURNS Jan, DAVIES Danielle
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 24(4), July 2011, pp.351-360.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The sexual knowledge of people with mild intellectual disabilities has been found to be partial, inaccurate and inconsistent. Previous research has shown that people with intellectual disabilities have tended to hold negative or even blatantly homophobic attitudes towards homosexuality. Holding traditional beliefs about gender roles is predictive with holding negative attitudes towards homosexuality. The aim of this study was to examine attitudes towards homosexuality and gender role beliefs in a group of women with intellectual disabilities. The sample consisted of 27 women with a learning disability who described themselves as heterosexual. Three self-report measures were administered to measure their knowledge of homosexuality, attitudes towards homosexuality and gender role beliefs. The findings showed that the participants had limited knowledge, especially regarding lesbianism, and held prejudicial beliefs. Traditional gender beliefs were also identified and were associated strongly with more negative attitudes towards homosexuality. These findings suggest that education that focuses on the flexibility of gender roles may be beneficial, in addition to an emphasis on developing more positive attitudes towards homosexuality.
Consenting adults? Guidance for professionals when considering rights and risks in sexual relationships involving people with a mental disorder
- Author:
- MENTAL WELFARE COMMISSION FOR SCOTLAND
- Publisher:
- Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 44p.
- Place of publication:
- Edinburgh
- Edition:
- Rev. ed.
The Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland is an independent organisation working to safeguard the rights and welfare of people with mental illness, learning disability or other mental disorder. This guidance was produced in response to legal, ethical and practical issues concerning sexual relationships raised with the Commission in its work with people with mental disorder and those involved in their care. The guidance is intended to provide a framework for discussion of issues that need to be considered when assessing risk and considering the need for intervention in a person's sexual life. It covers the legal framework, capacity to consent, significance of a person's diagnosis, sexual risks arising from a person's mental disorder or social situation, staff knowledge and attitudes, family attitudes, cultural or religious values, the living situation and support and protection, statutory investigative duties, intervention following investigation, and legal interventions.