MiDDC's Position Statement on Sexuality

Additional Information

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People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) have sexual feelings and desires just like their neurotypical peers. Studies show that 85% of adults with I/DD said that romantic relationships were part of their lives since high school. People with I/DD also stated that time spent with their partner was limited and they wanted more time with their current partners. This contrasts with research that shows only 3% of people with a learning disability in long term committed relationships live together as a couple, compared to 70% of the general adult population [1].

Education regarding sexual health [2] and reproductive health [3] have been routinely denied for people with I/DD. According to a 2021 Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS) [4], 36 states do not include youth with disabilities in their sexuality education requirements at all or provide accessible resources regarding sexuality education. For people with I/DD and physical disabilities alike, finding inclusive sexuality education can be a challenge because the majority of materials do not take people with I/DD into consideration. This can lead to a severe disparity in the quality of education that students with I/DD receive.

Lack of education for people with I/DD has been a key factor in higher rates of abuse. It is well-documented that people with disabilities face a disproportionate rate of sexual abuse and exploitation than their neurotypical peers, with some describing it as reaching epidemic proportions [5]. In 2017, The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD), published a policy brief on the sexual abuse and exploitation of people with I/DD urging action [6]. Additional research shows that people with I/DD are sexually abused at a rate seven times higher than the general population [7].

References

[1] Emerson, E. B., Davies, I., Spencer, K., & Malam, S. (2005, Jun 1). Adults with Learning Difficulties in England 2003/4.

[2] World Health Organization, (WHO, 2006a) Re: Sexual Health. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/health-topics/sexual-health#tab=tab_2

[3] Reproductive health addresses the reproductive processes, functions and system at all stages of life. Reproductive health, therefore, implies that people can have a responsible, satisfying and safe sex life and that they have the capability to reproduce and the freedom to decide if, when and how often to do so.”

[4] Graham Holmes, Laura. (2021). Comprehensive Sex Education for Youth with Disabilities: A Call to Action. Retrieved from https://siecus.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/SIECUS-2021-Youth-with-Disabilities-CTA-1.pdf

[5] Van Woerkom, Barbara (Producer). (2018). Abused and Betrayed. National Public Radio. Series retrieved from https://www.npr.org/series/575502633/abused-and-betrayed

[6] National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities. (2017). Special Publication: Councils on Developmental Disabilities Addressing Sexual Violence & Neglect [PDF file]. Retrieved from https://nacdd.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/DD-Councils-Special-Publication.pdf

[7] Bureau of Justice Crime Victimization Statistics, Special Tabulation