Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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Working with women with learning disabilities who have experienced gender-based violence
- Authors:
- MACINTYRE Gillian, STEWART Ailsa
- Publisher:
- IRISS
- Publication year:
- 2022
- Pagination:
- 22
- Place of publication:
- Glasgow
This Insight summarises the evidence on women with learning disabilities who have experienced gender-based violence, the policy context, prevalence of abuse, risk factors, profiles of victims and perpetrators, and types of abuse and their impact. The paper also looks at the support that is available for this group of women, accessibility to mainstream services, barriers to seeking help, lack of awareness of available support, and the implications for the social service workforce. Key points include: the evidence base is limited due to inconsistencies around definitions, as well as a lack of research involving women with learning disabilities; very few studies in Scotland on gender-based violence (GBV) have looked in-depth at the experiences of women with learning disabilities; evidence suggests that women with learning disabilities are disproportionately likely to experience GBV, but are often a hidden population; abuse experienced by women with learning disabilities is often pervasive, leading to a normalisation of abuse - this makes it difficult for women to identify abusive behaviours and is a significant barrier to accessing services; support that includes educational components is vital for women to understand and identify abuse; trusting relationships and longevity of engagement are critical to enabling women to access appropriate support and to ensure that women feel believed and reassured that they are not to blame for the abuse; other preventative strategies, such as building social networks, developing peer support and challenging other areas of disadvantage in women's lives, are also important. (Edited publisher abstract)
Out of the shadows: women with learning disabilities in contact with or on the edges of the criminal justice system
- Authors:
- HAMMOND Tracy, et al
- Publisher:
- Prison Reform Trust
- Publication year:
- 2019
- Pagination:
- 48
- Place of publication:
- London
This report, collaboration between the Prison Reform Trust and KeyRing Living Support Networks, finds that women with learning disabilities are at risk of becoming drawn into the criminal justice system due to failures to recognise their disability and a lack of appropriate support. It draws on the experiences of 24 women with learning disabilities in contact with, or on the edges of, the criminal justice system; and practitioners working within criminal justice, social care, and women’s services. It also considers the legislative and policy frameworks that exist to help ensure women with learning disabilities get the support they need and which can help them avoid content with criminal justice services. In the research the women talked about their difficulties in accessing support when they needed it most, not understanding the implications of their behaviour and failure to comply with imposed sanctions; their histories as victims of violent and abusive behaviour; and enforced separation from their children. Other areas discussed included histories of drugs and addiction, access to housing The report makes ten recommendations to ensure that the needs of women with learning disabilities are recognised and met. (Edited publisher abstract)
‘I know it was every week, but I can't be sure if it was every day: domestic violence and women with learning disabilities
- Authors:
- McCARTHY Michelle, HUNT Siobhan, MILNE-SKILLMAN Karen
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 30(2), 2017, pp.269-282.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: Domestic violence against women is well researched in the general population, but much less so in relation to women with learning disabilities. This qualitative research study interviewed 15 women with learning disabilities who had experienced domestic violence about their experiences, the impact of the violence on them and their children, their coping strategies and help seeking behaviour. Materials and methods: Semistructured in-depth interviews were conducted. Data were analysed using Inter-pretive Phenomenological Analysis. A service user advisory group helped at particular stages, notably at the formative stage and with dissemination, especially the production of accessible materials, including a DVD. Results: The violence experienced by many of the women was severe and frequent. It impacted negatively on their physical and psychological well-being. The women's awareness of refuges and others sources of help was generally low. Conclusions: Healthcare and social care professionals have a clear remit to help women with learning disabilities to avoid and escape violent relationships. (Edited publisher abstract)
What influences women with intellectual disabilities to attend breast screening? Experiences of women who have and have not participated
- Author:
- WILLIS Diane S.
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 44 (4), 2016, pp.269-276.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: Despite breast screening in Britain being free to all women within the allotted age range, uptake of this service is often poor in women with intellectual disabilities. Reasons put forward are numerous, including poor knowledge, pain and difficulty travelling to the centre. However, what influences the decision to attend is rarely discussed. Methods: Twelve semi-structured interviews and three focused observation were undertaken with women with intellectual disabilities to explore what influenced them to participate in breast screening and their experience of having mammography. Data were analysed thematically using a blended framework. Results: Despite the experience of mammography being negative, high uptake of breast screening services was reported in this study. Pain and previous poor treatment in hospital were reasons for nonparticipation in breast screening. Although awareness about breast screening varied, those who had previous breast problems were more knowledgeable; however, there was poor awareness of the risks of hereditary breast cancer. Overall, paid-carers were found to play a key role, as means of support, information and a potential influence in determining participation in breast screening. Conclusions: There was general equality of access but an inequality in the preparation and delivery of the service which was dependent on a complex range of issues and relationships. Key to participation was preparation with the paid-carer facilitating discussions about breast screening were key to participating in mammography. This has implications on the future direction of funding and policy making. Risks associated with hereditary breast cancer and earlier presentation of breast tumours also needs highlighting. (Edited publisher abstract)
Disparities in substance abuse treatment utilization among women with intellectual disability
- Author:
- SLAYTER Elspeth
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work in Disability and Rehabilitation, 15(2), 2016, pp.96-115.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Despite concerns about health disparities among women with intellectual disabilities, little is known about substance abuse treatment access in this population. Using standardised performance measures, treatment initiation and engagement were examined retrospectively for women aged 18 to 64 (N = 3,752), men with (N = 5,732) and women without intellectual disability (N = 493,446) from 49 states in the USA. Logistic regression models of utilisation were conducted. Women in the sample were less likely than men in the sample or women without intellectual disability to utilise treatment, suggesting both gender-related and disability-related barriers. Policy and practice implications for improving the health and welfare of women with intellectual disabilities are discussed. (Edited publisher abstract)
What helps women who have learning disabilities get checked for cervical cancer?
- Author:
- MONTEITH Elaine
- Publisher:
- Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 16
- Place of publication:
- Glasgow
Reports the findings of practitioner research to identify what prevents women with learning disabilities accessing cervical screening in Scotland, and what could assist them in accessing this service. The research methodology was largely qualitative. It involved a literature review and interviews with women with learning disabilities and personal assistants who had supported woman with learning disabilities during their career to gather their views, feelings and attitudes. In total six people were interviewed; three were women randomly selected and all were over the age of twenty-five (the age where women should have been invited to attend at least one cervical screening appointment) with learning disabilities; one of whom had accessed cervical screening services and three personal assistants. Analysis of the data gathered from one-to-one interviews was compared to findings of the studies identified through a literature review. Analysis of the findings from the literature review and the interview process suggest that cervical screening for women with learning disabilities is not routinely accessed. From the data collated and analysed, possible barriers are pain, perceived pain, embarrassment and lack of information that can be easily understood. It is concluded that to best enable women to attend for screening an awareness and education of the importance of attending the appointment for both PAs and people supported should be raised. The paper was produced as part of the PROP2 (Practitioner Research: Outcomes and Partnership) programme, a partnership between the Centre for Research on Families and Relationships (CRFR) at the University of Edinburgh and IRISS covering health and social care in Scotland. (Edited publisher abstract)
The role of community nurses and residential staff in supporting women with intellectual disability to access breast screening services
- Authors:
- TAGGART L., TRUESDALE-KENNEDY M., MCILFATRICK S.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 55(1), January 2011, pp.41-52.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Women with intellectual disability (ID) are living longer and experiencing the same age-related illnesses as the non-ID population, including breast cancer. There is evidence that these women experience a greater number of risk factors for developing breast cancer. Cognitive deficits and communication difficulties mean that they are dependent upon staff to support them to attend screening clinics. This paper investigated how this support is provided. Six focus groups were held with community nurses and residential staff working in the field of ID in Northern Ireland. Many of the participants recognised the risk factors and signs/symptoms of breast cancer; but there were knowledge gaps. Both positive and negative experiences of women with ID attending for breast screening were reported but much of the discussion focused on the latter. Factors inhibiting attendance included; lack of health educational material, negative emotions, attitudes and physical barriers. Breast awareness and visual checks were suggested for women with ID who refused to attend the breast clinics; however this raised issues of informed consent and vulnerability for carers undertaking the checks. The authors highlight the need for a breast awareness programme for women with ID and suggest the development of accessible health education literature.
Learning disability and sexual abuse: use of a woman-only counselling service by women with a learning disability: a pilot study
- Authors:
- HOWLETT Sue, DANBY Joanne
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 12(1), January 2007, pp.4-15.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This article reports on a pilot study in Tyneside on how women with a learning disability access a mainstream rape crisis centre, used by women who had been sexually abused at any time during their lives. It examines how the pilot was set up, criteria for inclusion, monitoring and evaluation, the outcomes for the women who accessed it and its benefits. The paper also looks at issues raised by the work and future ways of helping other providers to make their services inclusive and open to this group, and makes general recommendations.
The healing starts here
- Author:
- BARTLETT Sarah
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 24.02.05, 2005, p.41.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
Reports on a project to rebuild the lives of people with learning difficulties who have been sexually abused. The project, developed by the Tyneside Rape Crisis Centre (TRCC), aimed to test how women with a learning difficulty might access a mainstream sexual assault or rape counselling service. It was winner of a Community Care Award.
Don't put up with it! Domestic violence and women with learning disabilities
- Authors:
- McCARTHY Michelle, MILNE-SKILLMAN Karen, HUNT Siobhan
- Publisher:
- Media2u
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 15 minutes 27 seconds
- Place of publication:
- Romsey
A video, made with and for women with learning disabilities in the UK, which describes what domestic violence is and tells women how they can get help. It is based on research which interviewed women with mild to moderate learning disabilities who had been in abusive relationships to explore their experiences and the attitudes and practices of the professionals involved. The video includes interviews with women discussing what they understand about domestic violence. A range of professionals also provide information on the services and support available to women with learning disabilities. These include the police; access to legal advice; help available form healthcare and social services, information about Independent Advocacy Services; and information about the women's refuge Beverley Lewis House in London. (Edited publisher abstract)