Sexual Health

6. Sexual abuse

6.6. ‘Predators’ with or without, intellectual disabilities

Photo: G.H.Lunde

Sexuality and sexual abuse are often not talked about. If sexual abuse is committed by a PWID the act may be kept in secret (2, 15).

Suspicion of a sexual assault is often ignored or overlooked (15). The victim and 'predator' are often not confronted, thus none of them receive help.

It is impossible to look at someone and say whether that person has committed or will commit an act of sexual abuse. One reason for an abuse to remain undetected is probably the difficulty to describe the ‘typical abuser’. Abusers can be found in all groups of the society and can have a social function equal to others (2, 17). 

Abuse also happens between persons with intellectual disabilities. An abuser with an ID who has difficulty understanding social rules should be treated in a different way from a 15-year-old boy who is masturbating in front of children. Knowledge is important for preventing difficult situations and to facilitate good sexual functions and relations. In order to prevent people from committing new assaults, it is important to see the individual and facilitate individual measures (17). 

There is no reason to describe abusers as monsters verbally. This often reduce the chance for the abuser to talk about what they have done. The motives of individuals can vary from a longing for closeness as well as comforting themselves, to wanting control of another person with acts of violence and sadism (2).

Some PWID abuse siblings sexually. In order to help prevent abuse from happening, we need to be able to talk to the abuser. We need to stop the tendency to violate the limits of other people’s personal space. We need to ask for help and report the case to the authorities (2). The predator’s admonitions, threats or violent behaviour can silence the child. This is also true for feelings of guilt or shame or the fear of what might happen to the abuser or the person”.

ACTIVITIES:

• Discuss with your child/sibling/client about strategies to prevent them from meeting sexual offenders
• Use your fantasy and think of a conversation with a sexual offender. What would you tell them, how would you explain the harm he had done?
• Discuss with your child/sibling/client about the personal strength each PWID has in order to avoid sexual offenders and how they can take care of themselves at hard times
  

Picture: watercolour by G.Dietrichson