ELPIDA Course - English

Negative script

 

Photo. G. H. Lunde

Some PWID develop challenging behaviour (1: 88). Some have mental or physical problems. Mental problems and depression can reduce sexual functions because they often lead to less initiative and activity. Some may have a generally lower mood level. Side effects of drugs can also lead to a lower desire to engage in sexual activities. Physical injury, violent abuse (5), chronic illnesses, stress disorders, muscular problems, pelvic floor pain and abnormalities in genital organs can all lead to sexual problems and impaired quality of life (1).

PWID may face challenges in relationships due to cognitive, mental and physical problems. Relational injuries are about difficulties with trust in others, difficulty in engaging and creating sexual relationships, and difficulties in establishing close relationships. Some PWID have trouble understanding the difference between a friend and a lover. They struggle to understand what they can or cannot do (according to tradition) with other people. This may happen because they lack insight into consequences of their choice. 

Some people have trouble with saying no when another person touches their body in a way they do not like. Some are naive and gullible, and thus exploited physically and economically. With an ID, it is more common to misunderstand communication, irony and ambiguous opinions, that can result in them believing they are valued rather than bullied. 

Another issue today is access to the world and people. The problem is not that young people use technology. It is appropriate for them to develop technology skills and knowledge that they will need throughout their life. Problems arise when young people use technology to engage in sexually problematic or abusive behaviour. From time to time, we detect bullying or blackmailing of others, transmitting images or videos that are illegal under current legislation. One may also be contacted by people who intend to exploit them that can be a difficult to PWID to recognise.  

You may ask the person if it is okay to assess whether they are at risk of sexual exploitation. Some countries have developed assessments that summarize data in a risk analysis. One example is the SUMO report from Norway (6). This report describes conditions in order to verify if PWID are feeling safe or not. You may also talk with the person about what they like to do; who they like or not like, to be together with, who do they like or detest a lot, etc. 

PWID need supervision to learn differentiate between situations, time and place, as well as childish versus adult-like behaviour. Training on social behaviour may start when the child is small and repeated during the child’s other development phases. Sometimes it is easier to teach small children to acquire good habits. 

With regards to sexting and sending naked images we should ask if these activities are appropriate. Are they legal? Are they part of normal behaviour and adolescent flirting, or is it abusive behaviour? (7)

In the webpage below you can find an overview of what the Centre against Sexual Assault & Family Violence (SECASA) (8) considers to be ‘age appropriate behaviour’ and ‘worrying behaviour’. The table describes “age appropriate sexual behaviour in children and young people” from a normative perspective. The table defines if a sexual behaviour is ‘age-appropriate (normal)’, ‘concerning’ or ‘very concerning’ in the four age categories 0-4, 5-9, 9-12 and 13-18, as well as for PWID (8): https://www.secasa.com.au/assets/Documents/Age-appropriate-behaviours-book.pdf

Photo. G. H. Lunde

ACTIVITIES:

• Who should decide if a PWID is able to develop a relationship of love and have a sexual partner? 
• Discuss with your child/sibling/client and ask how important it is for them to have someone who knows them well, who listens to them and understands how their life is? Also discuss how important this kind of relationship is for them to talk freely about sexual issues.
• Discuss with your child/sibling/client about the meaning of legal and unlawful sexual actions: clarify juridical concepts; where the border are; what is the alternative, etc.