Local Government Information Unit : November 2002

Joan Sterling, Care Services Manager for Yarrow Housing, explains the need for better sex education for people with learning disabilities.

Good, accessible sex education services for people with learning disabilities remain sparse. And despite many high profile cases of sexual maltreatment, education to help those with disabilities recognise abusive situations is still lacking.

The 1971 'UN Declaration on the Rights of Mentally Retarded Persons' despite its unfortunate title, did recognise that people with learning disabilities have the same values, needs and rights as anyone else - including the right to engage in consensual sex.

Yet, despite the passing of three decades and the incorporation of many new rights into UK law, the issue of learning disabilities and sexuality remains controversial. Myths persist, such as people with earning disabilities are 'forever children', and therefore not sexual. Good, accessible sex education services for people with learning disabilities remain sparse. And despite many high profile cases of sexual maltreatment, education to help those with disabilities recognise abusive situations is still lacking. Until 2001 Yarrow relied on a policy that, although correct in principle, was difficult to implement. Many staff found it glossed over issues such as pornography and contraception; it didn't provide enough practical guidance on supposing service users who wanted to explore their sexuality; and it lacked the materials to help explain to service users their rights.

Developing an accessible programme

In response Yarrow, with the help of staff, sen/ice users and their carers, set about producing an accessible education programme called Lets Talk About Sex.

A booklet and interactive presentation were produced, which uses clear images and slang to help explain complex issues such as sexual consent, pornography and relationships. Detailed staff guidelines were also written to give advice on dealing with specific situations, make clear the law and provide a framework for implementation. Launched in September 2002, Lets Talk About Sex is not just about empowering service users to understand and express sexuality, but also about the responsibilities involved and the right to say no in potentially abusive situations.

Enabling staff to help clients

Mark is one client who has already been helped by the programme. Living in semi supported housing, Mark's borderline learning disability has often made it hard for him to sustain long-term relationships. Dealing with the emotions and decisions involved could be problematic and when relationships broke down Mark had difficulty understanding why.

What Mark saw as a rejection dented his confidence and as a result he became depressed and withdrawn. With the help of specialist counselling and the new programme, Mark has begun to work through his depression, understanding relationships better and why they sometimes end.

Mark has now started a new relationship and each time it throws up a new challenge, staff are better equipped to support Mark when he wants help. Whether the issue is sexual or emotional, Mark's family and carers also benefit by being better informed about his wishes. With 1 .5m people in Britain having some form of learning disability, their right to be informed about sex, enjoy their sexuality and the freedom to practice it has to be recognised by their families and the people who work with them.

Futher Information

Copies of Lets Talk About Sex are available from Yarrow Housing by calling 020 8735 4600 or emailing Joan@yarrowhousing.org.uk

Yarrow is a housing association for people with learning difficulties, working in partnership with local authorities in south east England.