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Sexual Knowledge (sexual + knowledge)
Selected AbstractsEvaluating a Survivors Group Pilot for Women with Significant Intellectual Disabilities who have been Sexually AbusedJOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH IN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES, Issue 4 2007Nicholas Guy Peckham Background, Sexual abuse has been associated with trauma, low self-esteem, anger, depression and challenging behaviours. This pilot study builds on a small published literature by evaluating a survivors group (SG) for women with an intellectual disability and an educational support group (ESG) for their carers. Method, The SG was delivered weekly over 5 months for 20 sessions and the ESG ran concurrently for their seven carers in a separate room within the same community-based building. Participants were helped to build trust and rapport, provided with education about sexual abuse designed for their level of ability, and helped to reprocess the trauma of their sexual abuse. Results, Both the SG and the ESG were evaluated using a repeated-measures design (double baseline, mid-treatment, post-treatment and follow up), to see whether there was any improvement in relevant clinical dependent variables associated with the consequences of sexual abuse (i.e. trauma, self-esteem, anger, depression and challenging behaviour). Improvements occurred in sexual knowledge, trauma and depression. Neither self-esteem nor anger improved for most of the SG and challenging behaviour worsened at first before improving. Conclusions, The SG seemed to be successful in improving sexual knowledge and in reducing trauma and depression, although challenging behaviours worsened at first before improving. There is a need for more sexual abuse/sexual education groups for men and women with intellectual disabilities. [source] Sexuality and personal relationships for people with an intellectual disability.JOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RESEARCH, Issue 11 2009Part I: service-user perspectives Abstract Background Despite a recent ideological shift towards the recognition of sexual autonomy for people with an intellectual disability (ID), there are continuing social and cultural barriers to sexual expression. Part I of the current two-part study assessed the sexual knowledge, experiences and aspirations of service users through focus groups and also examined their perceptions of impediments to achieving sexual autonomy. Method Thirty-two participants (20 male, 12 female) attending an ID service participated in focus groups delineated by gender and age group (13,17 years; 18,30 years; 31+ years). Results Analysis of the focus groups showed that service users, especially those over the age of 18 years, had an understanding of their sexual rights but also identified a number of social and cultural barriers that they felt prevent them from achieving sexual autonomy. Those under the age of 18 years had only rudimentary knowledge of sexuality issues, for example pregnancy and sexual anatomy, but aspired to relationships and marriage similar to those over the age of 18 years. Family and staff attitudes appeared to be very influential in the views of respondents. All service users had received some form of sex education, although the benefits of such education appeared most enduring for those over 18 years. Conclusion Service users had an understanding of their sexual rights and the social and environmental barriers that prevent them from fulfilling their rights. The provision of sex education training and promotion of positive attitudes towards appropriate sexual expression is critical to the realization of sexual autonomy for people with an ID. [source] Sexual relationships in adults with intellectual disabilities: understanding the lawJOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RESEARCH, Issue 3 2007A. C. O'Callaghan Abstract Introduction Adults with intellectual disabilities (IDs) are known to be very vulnerable to sexual abuse. This may result partly from their lack of sexual knowledge and their powerless position in society. It could also be exacerbated by an ignorance of the law. This study investigates their understanding of the law relating to sexuality. Method Understanding of the law regarding sexual relationships, consent and abuse was assessed in 60 adults with IDs (mean age 37.6 years) and 60 young people aged 16,18 years (deemed in law capable of consenting to a sexual relationship). Questions were wide ranging, including general laws around sexuality and abuse, as well as the law relating to sexual relationships and ID. Results There were significant differences between the two groups: adults with IDs had a very limited understanding of the general laws relating to sexuality (e.g. age of consent, incest, abuse), as well as the law relating to sexuality and IDs (e.g. whether they could have sexual relationships, whether they were allowed to marry, what protection they should expect from the law). Young people without disabilities showed a better understanding, both for general laws and for those relating specifically to adults with IDs. Conclusions These findings show that there is a need to educate people with IDs about the laws relating to sexuality. It is important for people to understand the law and, given the high rates of sexual abuse perpetrated against people with ID, it is essential for them to benefit from the protection the law affords. The new law in England (Sexual Offences Act 2003) post-dated this study. It will be interesting to see whether the new legislation is easier for people with and without disabilities to understand. [source] ORIGINAL RESEARCH,EPIDEMIOLOGY/RISK FACTORS: Low Scores in the Sexual Health Inventory for Men Questionnaire May Indicate Sexual Disorders Other Than Erectile DysfunctionTHE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 2 2005Rafi Heruti MD ABSTRACT Introduction., A screening program aimed at early detection of erectile dysfunction, among other hidden morbidities, is offered by the medical services of the Israel Defense Force for career servicemen. Men apparently with erectile dysfunction can turn to a sexual rehabilitation specialist for consultation. Aim., To present our experience in sexual evaluation of men with low scores in the Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) questionnaire. Methods., Men aged 25,50 years go through a routine check-up at the Staff Periodic Examination Center. The SHIM questionnaire was used to characterize erectile dysfunction. Men who had scored low in the SHIM questionnaire were referred to a sexual consultation and evaluation. Results., During 2001,2003, 11,914 men reported to the Staff Periodic Examination Center (mean age 34.8 ± 7.1 years). Among 5,836 men who filled out the SHIM questionnaire (compliance of 48.9%), 1,570 (26.9%) men scored low. Of those men with low SHIM scores, 7.2% (114/1,570) underwent a sexual dysfunction evaluation. Only 50% (57/114) of the men in fact had erectile dysfunction, of whom 15.7% (9/57) also had premature ejaculation. In addition, 38.5% (44/114) of the men were found to have premature ejaculation only, and the rest (14/114, 9.7%) had other sexual dysfunctions or lack of sexual knowledge. Conclusion., The SHIM questionnaire is a valuable tool for detecting various sexual dysfunctions other than erectile dysfunction. Incorporating the SHIM questionnaire in a routine check-up encourages men to seek consultation and treatment for sexual disorders. In addition, the SHIM questionnaire encourages men to seek sexual education and increase their awareness of issues concerning sexual health. [source] The sexual lives of men with mild learning disability: a qualitative studyBRITISH JOURNAL OF LEARNING DISABILITIES, Issue 1 2009Evan Yacoub Accessible summary ,,We talked to some men with learning disability about sex and relationships. Some people lived in the community, and some people lived in hospital. ,,The men knew quite a lot about sex. Most people said they got good support from their keyworkers. ,,Some people were asked for sex when they did not want it. Some people were made to have sex that was not safe. ,,We have some ideas about how men with learning disabilities can speak up for themselves about sex and relationships. Summary We aimed to explore in detail the sexual lives and behaviour of men with mild learning disabilities living both in community and in secure hospital settings. We wanted to generate hypotheses about them and identify potential unmet needs. We used a narrative interview that focused on areas such as relationships, sex education, contraception and the attitudes of others towards the participants' sexual lives and orientation. We used the constant comparative method to analyse transcribed interviews. Several clients reported engaging in unsafe practices despite being aware of the risks. Participants generally felt that services had shifted from a paternalistic to a more supportive approach towards their sexual lives and orientation. Experiences with other men were commonly reported. Several participants reported being pressurised into sex as adults. In our sample, sexual knowledge did not lead to safe sexual practices. The good rapport with services reported by the participants may be utilised to provide further education and empowerment to improve the safety of sexual practices in this group. Other ways of improved service delivery are suggested. [source] Cross-examination, sexual abuse and child witness identityCHILD ABUSE REVIEW, Issue 3 2002Helen L Westcott Abstract This paper presents extracts from cross-examinations with child witnesses who are alleged victims of child sexual abuse. The manner in which cross-examination may present a challenge to the child's identity as child, victim and witness is discussed. Specifically, the child may be portrayed as ,unchildlike', for example in their experience of sexual relationships or in their sexual knowledge. They may be portrayed as less than innocent, through references to previous contacts with social services or to other behaviours such as delinquency. Child witnesses may be depicted as instigators rather than victims, seducing the adult or seeking revenge through sexual allegations. Finally, children are easily accused of being poor witnesses, as being confused, untruthful and having fallible memories. The paper considers the dynamics and potential impact of such cross-examination practice within Finkelhor's framework of four traumagenics of sexual abuse: traumatic sexualization, betrayal, powerlessness and stigmatization. The potential for poorly conducted cross-examinations to create further problems for child witnesses, particularly in the area of identity, is highlighted, and it is suggested traumagenic factors in such cross-examinations may resemble those of abuse. The paper discusses practice implications for cross-examination, judicial intervention and witness support following implementation of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 in England and Wales. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 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