Drawing extensively on personal experiences, this important volume looks at sexuality and relationships in the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, painting a genuine picture of the range of sexualities and relationships people want. Honest and reflective, it shows how sexuality has been managed and controlled in different countries. It explores a range of issues such as rights, resilience, protection, sexual oppression and the lack of privacy for those living in care institutions. Co-edited and with contributions by people with intellectual disabilities and allies, this unique book offers an authentic account of the challenges people face and what society needs to do to respect people's rights.Providing insight into a morally, ethically and legally complex area, this book will be essential reading for people with intellectual disabilities, their advocates, families and supporters; social care managers, social workers, and other professionals working in the field as well as academic researchers and students.
Introduction. Rohhss Chapman, Daniel Docherty, Louise Townson, all at University of Manchester, UK and the Social History of Learning Disabilities Group, Open University, UK.; 1. Stories from Around the Globe. Rohhss Chapman, Louise Townson and Sue Ledger, Open University, UK.; 2. Historical Overview. Lee-Ann Monk, La Trobe University, Australia.; 3. Rights and Oppression in Ireland. Kelley Johnson and partners, University of Bristol, UK.; 4. Men's Perspectives from a Self-Advocacy Group in Belgium. Toon Maillard.; 5. The Paradox of Intimacy in Japan: Shifting Objects of Affection. Eiji Tsuda, University of Kobe, Japan and Takako Ueto.; 6. I'm in Their Shoes: Peer Education and Life Stories in Sexuality Programmes in Australia. Patsie Frawley and Chris Bigby, both at La Trobe University, Australia.; 7. Women's Perspectives from Iceland. Gudrun Valgerdur Stefansdottir, University of Reykjavik, Iceland and Ebba Jonni.; 8. Perspectives from Malta. Claire Azzopardi, University of Kent, UK; lives in Malta and Anne-Marie Callus, National Commission Persons with Disabilities, Malta.; 9. Emergent Themes. Dan Docherty, Rohhss Chapman and Louise Townson.; Section 2: Stories of intimacy from the UK.; 10. Introduction to Diversity and Policy in the UK. Sue Ledger, Dan Docherty and Louise Townson.; 11. Far more people were able to have sex lives: managing sex relationships and reproductive control. Jan Walmsley, Jan Walmsley Associates, UK and Nigel Ingham, Community Service Volunteers (CSV), UK.; 12. My Name is Alison: A Transgendered Identity. Alison Black, Values into Action, Ballyclare, Northern Ireland.; 13. Women Who Identify as Lesbian. Sue Ledger, Lindy Shufflebotham and the Rainbow Fairy Group.; 14. Gay Space. Craig Blyth and Daniel Docherty, both at University of Manchester, UK.; 15. Experiences Related to Ethnicity and Diversity. Jackie Downer, The Quality Company, UK and Linnett Farquarson, independent Advocate, UK.; 16. Young People and the CHANGE Project. Ruth Garbutt, University of Leeds, UK.; 17. Locating Hidden Stories of Prostitution and Sexual Health. Rohhss Chapman and Craig Blyth, University of Manchester.; 18. Promoting Sexual Protection. Rachel Fyson.; 19. The Men's Room: Talking About Men's Issues. John Dias with The Carlisle People First Research Team.; 20. Emerging Themes and Main Debates: What Have We Learned? Daniel Docherty, Louise Townson and Liz Tilley, Open University, UK.; Conclusion.; Rohhss Chapman, Daniel Docherty, Louise Townson and the Social History of Learning Disabilities Group.
(The authors) use people's stories and experiences, researching into the thoughts and memories of people who use services as well as the staff who worked with them. This gives us a useful and very readable historical perspective... They repeatedly highlight the issue of protection and safety verses rights to a sex life and how difficult it is to enshrine both in any law...the issues of equality and diversity are naturally included... People's stories from around the world also remind us of the role religion has to play in this, from influencing laws and policy to restrictions in sex education.
