Women with IDD and harmful sexual behaviour
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the backgrounds and lives of autistic women and women with learning disabilities in relation to harmful sexual behaviour.
IRAS ID
332699
Contact name
Glynis Murphy
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Kent
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Much of the research into people who have a learning disability (LD) and/or autism who engage in harmful sexual behaviours (HSB) has focused on men and as a result, little is known about women. Anecdotally we know that autistic women and those with an LD do engage in HSB, and we know that these women exist in the community and in the criminal justice system (CJS), however, the evidence as to why they come to engage in HSB, their background and the types of HSB they have engaged in is scant. Historically, autistic women and girls including those with LD, are often overlooked and/or missed in the diagnosis and research process and as such most of the research findings, especially related to offending and challenging behaviours, are specifically related to men and boys (Whitley & Anderson, 2018).
This project therefore aims to select participants who have a learning disability (LD) and/or are autistic who are currently residing in a secure unit, as well as those currently using NHS services such a community learning disability team and autism team, and have a history of HSB. Following consent, the project will involve two stages. First, the participants will be asked to take part in a semi-structured interview, to collect qualitative information about their experiences and how they feel about the services they are currently using and/or their current placement. Second, their lead professional/care co-ordinator will be asked to complete a pre-designed questionnaire to collect quantitative information on the background of the women and their HSB.
REC name
London - Queen Square Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/LO/0210
Date of REC Opinion
10 Jul 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion