Sexual Abuse within Services for People with Learning Disabilities

Abstract
This study was concerned with ascertaining the extent to which staff working with people with learning disabilities are aware of issues around the topic of sexual abuse. A questionnaire was completed by 107 staff from day care and residential facilities at both Health Authority and Local Authority services. The data generated indicated that nearly a third of staff (32%) never discuss the subject in their worksettings despite the fact that all felt people with learning disabilities to be at risk of sexual abuse, with the majority (68%) believing them to be at a higher degree of risk than other people. The majority of staff (88%) felt that further information should be provided in their workplaces. The implications of these data are considered with respect to staff training, support and empowerment.

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