Prevalence of learning disabilities amongst St Mary's SARC clients
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Identifying the prevalence of learning disabilities amongst clients’ attending St. Marys Sexual Assault Referral Centre
IRAS ID
214709
Contact name
Rabiya Majeed
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Manchester Royal Infirmary
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Research Summary:
While determining the prevalence of sexual assault in the general population has been given increasing importance over recent years, the prevalence amongst people with learning disabilities has not received the same attention (Withers and Morris, 2012). Despite an increase on literature on sexual assault amongst people with learning disabilities over time, a dearth of reliable data remains (McCormack et al., 2005). Research asking the prevalence question remains sparse and methodologically weak, relying on convenience samples (Horner-Johnson and Drum, 2006).While studies agree that the rate of sexual assault is greater in people with learning disabilities than those without, there is great disparity in the figures reported in the literature. In Horner-Johnson and Drum’s (2006) systematic review, five published studies were included that estimated the prevalence of sexual assault amongst people with learning disabilities. Their findings for estimated prevalence of sexual assault amongst children with learning disabilities ranged from 12-28% and for adults with learning disabilities the estimated prevalence was higher and wider, from 25-50%. This disparity in prevalence figures is likely to be due to a multitude of reasons, including: different methods of data collection; population studied; recruitment strategies; how learning disability is defined and how sexual assault is defined (Withers and Morris, 2012).
Since sexual abuse has serious consequences for an individual’s mental and physical health, appropriate responses need population level data. The proposed work aims to identify the prevalence of learning disabilities amongst clients attending St Marys Sexual Assault Referral Centre using a brief validated screening tool. This work will enable recommendations to be made as to what systems need to be changed or incorporated into practice so as to deliver timely patient centred care. Having specific figures may also allow implications for policy.
Summary of Results:
There is a dearth of reliable data on sexual assault prevalence amongst people with learning disabilities. This work aims to identify the prevalence of learning disabilities amongst adult clients attending Saint Marys Sexual Assault Referral Centre and ascertain the similarities/differences amongst clients with learning disabilities as compared to clients without.
Method: A short validated Learning Disability Screening Questionnaire was completed by adult clients attending Saint Marys for a forensic medical examination during a twelve month period.
Results: Amongst 749 clients, 7.5% were likely to have a learning disability. Pearson's chi-square tests found significant correlations between the likelihood of having a learning disability and the presence of self-reported: mental health issues (X²=11.24, p=0.001); self-harm (X²=5.63, p=0.017) and substance misuse (X²=13.15906, p=0.001).Consistent with the broader literature, people with learning disability were overrepresented in the sexually assaulted population emphasising the importance of timely, accessible and appropriate patient centred care for this vulnerable group.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/NW/0742
Date of REC Opinion
1 Nov 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion