sexuality and DD Flashcards
what is myth #1 They are eternal children and are asexual
They develop at a similar rate to non-disabled people, unless they have genetic or endocrine dysfunctions
They have sexual feelings and responses to the same kinds of things that non-disabled people do
myth #2 They need to live in environments that restrict and inhibit their sexuality to protect themselves and others
People with DD benefit from environments that provide education about personal, moral, social, and legal responsibility regarding sexuality
myth # 3 They should not be provided with sexual education, it will only encourage inappropriate behaviour
Sexual education provides knowledge and skills to prevent/replace inappropriate sexual behaviour and to learn responsibility about sexuality
People given sex ed have a reduced frequency of abuse
myth #4 They should be sterilized because they will give birth to children who are disabled
The majority of intellectual disabilities are from unknown causes
Genetic causes are not passed down 100% of the time, even if it is a dominant gene (50%)
myth #5 They are more likely to develop diverse, unusual, or deviant sexual behaviour
Not true if they have normal opportunities to learn about their sexuality
Can be affected by lack of sexual education, deprivation of peer group interactions, family restrictions on activities, and lack of motor coordination
myth #6 They are over-sexed, promiscuous, sexually indiscriminate, and dangerous: children should not be left unattended with them
True that people with DD are over-represented in the population of those convicted of sexual offenses
Usually less serious offenses (e.g. public masturbation)
More likely to get caught
More likely to be victims of sexual abuse, not perpetrators
myth #7 They cannot benefit from sexual counseling or treatment
People with DD can benefit from interventions directed at sexual abuse counseling, and teaching appropriate sexual behaviour
2010- UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Persons with disabilities should not be denied rights with regard to sexuality and parenting
Nations must provide support to individuals to assure them opportunities to assert these rights, including education, counseling, and abuse prevention
Sexual Education
Initially focused on controlling inappropriate sexual activities and neglected issues such as dating
Areas covered
Puberty Anatomy and reproduction Birth control Sexual intercourse STIs Relationships and social aspects Abuse
Sexual Education
Self-care after puberty
Public and private
Social norms
Self-advocacy
Sexual Abuse
Persons with DD are more vulnerable to sexual abuse (1.5x more likely than nondisabled people)
Occurs among females (83%) and males (17%)
Abuse is often perpetrated by someone the victim knows
The perpetrator often gains access through the disability system
Abuse rates are lower among persons with DD who had been given sex ed
Birth Control
Sterilization was common up until the 1970s due to the eugenics movement
Parents do not have the right to consent on behalf of their child to sterilization
Sexually Inappropriate Behaviour
Higher rates of sexually inappropriate behaviour
Only if not given a normative learning experience
More likely to get caught, confess, and have a suitable defense
Often “less serious” violations such as public masturbation, exhibitionism, and voyeurism
Environmental Contributions to Sexuality
Limited environment
Privacy
Opportunity to meet potential sexual partners
Lack of sexual education
