ELPIDA Course - English

Photo: G. H. Lunde

Sexually offensive conduct may take the form of actions and words directed to or performed in the presence of someone (e.g., showing off genitalia to an unsuspecting person or verbal abuse). 

A sexual act involves behaviours such as the touching of genitalia and breasts, under or over clothing and/or to lead children to perform sexually related actions. Such unacceptable behaviours are subject to penalty when it happens in the public domain, directed to or in the presence of a non-consenting person. For instance, in Norwegian law oral and anal sex or simply inserting an object into someone’s genitalia are considered as intercourse. Other acts, such as masturbation, are also regarded as sexual activity and is penalised accordingly.  

People with a mild degree of ID have become more and more apt at using chat rooms and similar services on the internet and using text and picture messages on smartphones. Such activities make them more vulnerable to abuse, especially if they make appointments to meet with new ‘friends’ (3). For the individual with ID, such encounters can be the source of a number of good and positive experiences. It can lead to the person feeling attractive and sought after.

We need to be aware that person with ID can be uncritical in how they present themselves in digital media. Sometimes they cannot see or understand the consequences of their own actions. Sometimes they are not able to see the warning signs in a potentially abusive situation (4, 5). For parents and other helpers, it can be difficult to direct a good dialogue about rules for use of the internet. It is necessary to offer good guidance and show interest in order to have a certain overview of the situation.

Child grooming with the objective of establishing sexual interaction is also penalized as a sexual offence. It involves befriending and establishing an emotional bond with a child or family to facilitate sexual abuse, in person or via the internet. It has caused a number of countries to introduce legal measures to reduce grooming-acts. Planning to meet minors with the intent to commit sexual activity is illegal in European countries.  

Not everybody understands the limits of informed consent, therefore it is extremely important for parents to treat this subject with their young ones with care (2, 3, 5). 

Some PWID may behave in a sexual manner without them being aware of it. This makes it particularly important for adults to guide the person and set boundaries for them so that none of the parties is sexually offended (6).

Persons with disabilities are also vulnerable because most of them need assistance of private care from others. They often depend on other people and feel powerless, especially in care environment that do not follow international guidelines on self-determination and co-determination. To learn more see also the Human Rights module.

ACTIVITIES:

• Discuss with your child/sibling/client about good sexual behaviour 
• Watch this video together with your child/sibling/client and talk about the importance of other persons consent (7): Cycling Through Consent
• Find out what internet pages your child/sibling/client may have access to and if they have access to internet pages that are illegal in your country
• Find out what laws in your country describe sexual abuse and what consequences there are to breaking the law.
• Discuss with your child about how to protect themselves and the importance of telling you about things they wonder about or situations they feel afraid of. 
  

 

•                  Find out what internet pages your child/sibling/client may have access to, do they have access to internet pages that is illegal in your country?

•                  Find out what laws in your country that describes sexual abuse and what consequences there are to break the law.

•                  Talk with your child about how to protect themselves and the importance of telling you about things they wonder about or situations they feel afraid.