RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Capacity to consent to sexual relationships in adults with learning disabilities
JF Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care
JO J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care
FD British Medical Journal Publishing Group
SP 148
OP 149
DO 10.1783/147118903101197520
VO 29
IS 3
A1 Glynis H Murphy
YR 2003
UL http://jfprhc.bmj.com/content/29/3/148.abstract
AB People with learning disabilities used to be seen as asexual or promiscuous and were discouraged from expressing their sexuality. However, with the growth of the rights movement, attention has turned to the dilemma of how to both empower and protect people with learning disabilities in relation to their sexuality. A recent research project showed that, on average, adults with learning disabilities knew much less about sex and understood much less about sexual abuse than non-disabled young people aged 16 years. Sex education made a significant difference to their knowledge and understanding however. The implications of the study for services for people with learning disabilities and for definitions of capacity to consent to sexual relationships are discussed.