Sexual abuse of adults with learning disabilities

Abstract

This paper reports a clinical study of reported or disclosed sexual abuse of adults with learning disabilities. The findings support the results of a recent survey [V. Turk & H. Brown (1993) Sexual abuse of adults with learning disabilities: results of a two-year incidence survey. Mental Handicap Research 6, 193-216] but some differences were found, particularly with regard to sex of the survivors. The study also illustrates more than previous studies a link between sexual abuse and sexualized and inappropriate sexual behaviour and other challenging behaviours in men with learning disabilities.