'Sexuality and Women with Learning Disabilities makes a significant contribution to both feminist and disability literature, because it challenges common assumptions about the sexuality of people with learning disabilities, forces a reconsideration of how this group of people are viewed by those around them and links gender and disability in its analysis.' -Tizard Learning Disability Review 'By tackling issues that have received little meaningful attention, McCarthy both makes a valuable contribution to the literature and provides a useful practical guide to those wishing to support their clients more effectively.' - Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Care 'The thoroughness and attention to detail with which McCarthy has investigated and written about the sexual lives of a small number of women with mild to moderate learning difficulties is to be commended. Drawing upon interviews with the women who participated in this study, there is explicit detail about the reality of their sexual lives that overall comes across as sad, poignant and often shocking, with a high level of sexual abuse revealed... however, McCarthy has a strong code of ethics and sensitivity and a reflexive honesty about her role and stance as a feminist researcher that removes any possibility or suggestion of prurient voyeurism or exploitation being a part of this research. McCarthy writes as a woman with and about women, allowing their voices about their sexual experiences to be heard through the medium of in-depth interviews. Within the book, the sexual experiences of women with learning disabilities are set in a wider policy and practice framework and discussed in relation to ideologies surrounding learning disability, gender and sexuality in a cultural context. The book ends with a chapter discussing and listing policy and practice recommendations, including suggestions about changes to the law... Overall, this was a convincing and compelling book that deserves serious attention and I would strongly recommend it to anyone with an interest in learning disability issues, including practitioners, carers, relatives, advocates and counsellors.' - CSPRD Newsletter In this study of women with mild and moderate learning disabilities, Michelle McCarthy investigates how these women experience their sexual lives, basing her research on interviews with the women themselves. She argues the importance of informing the work of those responsible at research, practice and policy levels with the voices of people with learning disabilities. In the interviews, women talk openly about what form their sexual activity takes and what it means for them, the circumstances in which it occurs, and the pleasures (or lack thereof) associated with it. These interviews directly shape the policy and practice recommendations the author makes. Michelle McCarthy's findings suggest that women with learning disabilities commonly find themselves engaged in sexual activity which is not to their liking and not of their choosing. A high level of sexual abuse was also reported. The author discusses this in relation to the cultural forces which have influenced Western perceptions of sexuality, feminism and theories and prejudices about learning disabilities. She also studied the impact of institutional and community settings on the sexuality of women with learning disabilities. In Sexuality and Women with Learning Disabilities, McCarthy makes recommendations for policy and practice which will protect this vulnerable group, and advises on education, support and seeking justice for abused women.

"The editors have brought together a range of eminent contributors who present a range of issues throughout the life cycle. The book asserts that it hopes to 'assist readers to anticipate change and discontinuity in people's lives and think about strategies to support them' through the many challenges that they may face in their lives. In my view this book certainly does that and the editors and contributors are to be congratulated on the production of a relevant and contemporary text that I have no hesitation in both endorsing and recommending to all involved in supporting and or caring for people with learning disabilities." Professor Bob Gates, Project Leader - Learning Disabilities Workforce Development, NHS Education South Central, UK "The editors have gathered an authoritative faculty to present and discuss a range of contemporary issues; both practical and ethical. The text is well grounded in the lived experience of people with disability and draws on the evidence-base of contemporary science. Each chapter includes thought provoking exercises. This is a seminal text for students and practitioners, researchers and policy makers." Associate Professor Keith R. McVilly, Deakin University, Australia "I currently own a copy of the first edition and it has proved an invaluable resource time and time again. There is not an essay I complete that does not make reference to the book and I can consistently use it to reflect back on my practice as a student nurse and social worker. Having read several extracts from the new edition it does appear to include very high quality content covering learning disabilities over the lifespan ... if I were to personally recommend any book for budding or current learning disability professionals then this would be it." James Grainger, Student Nurse/Social Worker, Sheffield Hallam University, UK "I like the way it has primary and secondary information from a range of sources. The exercises in the book also get you to think about the situation in question which helps us think about our values and anti-oppressive practice ... This book really does start with the basics and having a learning disability from birth and the effects, to in depth knowledge and literature ... This book would be very helpful to me as it brings in literature policies and models from both a health and social side, which is important for my course and collaborative working." Laura Jean Lowe, Student Nurse, Sheffield Hallam University, UK "It is written with a clearly conveyed in-depth knowledge and in a way that has professional lived experience within the context of the work. The authors have taken into account the emotional, client-centred approach to the modern practitioner's practice ... The book gives a true wealth of good practice scenarios that can only help practitioners be good at what they do and aspire to be." Lee Marshall, Student Nurse, Sheffield Hallam University, UK With its spread of chapters covering key issues across the life cycle this text has established itself as the foundational primer for those studying the lived experiences of people with learning disabilities and their families, and outcomes achieved through services and support systems. Recognising learning disability as a lifelong disability, this accessible book is structured around the life cycle. The second edition is refreshed and expanded to include seven new chapters, covering: Aetiology Breaking news (about disability) and early intervention Transition to adulthood The sexual lives of women Employment Personalisation People with hidden identities With contributions from respected figures from a range of disciplines, the book draws heavily upon multidisciplinary perspectives and is based on the latest research and evidence for practice. The text is informed by medical, social and legal models of learning disability, exploring how "learning disability" is produced, reproduced and understood. Extensive use is made of real-life case studies, designed to bring theory, values, policy and practice to life. Narrative chapters describe, in the words of people with learning disabilities themselves, their lives and aspirations. They helpfully show readers the kinds of roles played by families, advocates and services in supporting people with learning disabilities. New exercises and questions have been added to encourage discussion and reflection on practice. Learning Disability is core reading for students entering health and social care professions to work with people with learning disabilities. It is a compelling reference text for practitioners as it squarely addresses the challenges facing people with learning disability, their loved ones and the people supporting them. Contributors Dawn Adams, Kathryn Almack, Dorothy Atkinson, Nigel Beail, Christine Bigby, Alison Brammer, Jacqui Brewster, Hilary Brown, Jennifer Clegg, Lesley Cogher, Helen Combes, Clare Connors, Bronach Crawley, Eric Emerson, Margaret Flynn, Linda Gething, Dan Goodley, Peter Goward, Gordon Grant, Chris Hatton, Sheila Hollins, Jane Hubert, Kelley Johnson, Gwynnyth Llewellyn, Heather McAlister, Michelle McCarthy, Alex McClimens, Roy McConkey, David McConnell, Keith McKinstrie, Fiona Mackenzie, Ghazala Mir, Ada Montgomery, Lesley Montisci, Elizabeth Murphy, Chris Oliver, Richard Parrott, Paul Ramcharan, Malcolm Richardson, Bronwyn Roberts, Philippa Russell, Kirsten Stalker, Martin Stevens, John Taylor, Irene Tuffrey-Wijne, Sally Twist, Jan Walmsley, Kate Woodcock

People with learning difficulties are considerably more likely to experience sexual violence than non-disabled people, and for this reason they are often described as 'vulnerable'. However, the use of this label can in fact increase risk. This book argues that by seeing adults with learning difficulties as vulnerable and in need of protection, they are stripped of their autonomy and left with fewer skills that are needed to protect themselves from harm. Their different treatment, such as segregation and over-protection, can in fact increase their 'vulnerability'. The author discusses a range of social processes, such as sex education, self-determination, friendships, sexual relationships and social inclusion, and examines the risk and benefits associated with each. Drawing on the everyday experiences of 29 adults with learning difficulties, the author illustrates how people with learning difficulties can be capable of safeguarding themselves from harm, and makes a range of suggestions for enabling them to become better equipped at managing risk themselves. This book will be essential reading for practitioners working with people with learning difficulties, as well as students and academics in the fields of disability and social work.

This book examines aspects of care such as training, ethnicity, sexuality and competence in practice. Topics include the nature of touch, how physical contact is intended and experienced, carers' duty of care, and risk management. The book also explores management considerations of best value, care standards, performance monitoring and inspection.

Practice Issues in Sexuality and Learning Disabilities explores the sexual behaviour of people with learning difficulties and addresses issues of concern such as sexual abuse, HIV and AIDS, service provision for those from ethnic minorities, the development of policy guidelines and the implementation of such guidelines in this intensely personal area. Ann Craft draws upon professional expertise from a broad range of backgrounds including social work, psychology, and medicine. She offers practical ideas and suggestions for service responses which acknowledge and respect the right of people with learning disabilities to express their sexuality in ways that are valued by other members of their society. Practice Issues in Sexuality and Learning Disabilities will be of interest to all whose work or relationship brings them into contact with people with learning disabilities - professionals, carers, parents, advocates. It will be invaluable to social workers, practitioners in social work and health, trainees, training officers and voluntary organizations.

This book has resulted from the author's awareness of the difficulties that professionals and parents face in accepting the sexuality of the people with learning disabilities with whom they live and work. It has been written at a time when discussion of such difficulties, and awareness of the prevalence of the sexual abuse of people with learning disabilities, is becoming more and more common. Though they are difficult and distasteful at times, this analysis is stimulating, provocative and shocking.

The issue of sexual consent has stimulated much debate in the last decade. The contributors to this illuminating volume make sense of sexual consent from various conceptual standpoints: socio-legal, post-structural, philosophical and feminist. The volume comprises a range of studies, all based around consent within a specific context such as criminal justice, homosexuality, sadomasochism, prostitution, male rape, learning disabilities, sexual ethics, and the age of consent. It is the first collection to publish exclusively on issues of sexual consent, and both makes sense of sexual consent in contemporary society and guides debate towards better consent standards and decisions in the future. Making Sense of Sexual Consent will excite considerable discussion amongst academics, professionals and all those who think that freedom to make decisions about our sexual selves is important. It will set the agenda for debate on sexual consent into the 21st Century.

The authors bring together the relevant theory for social workers, nurses, teachers and others working with people with learning disabilities. Using jargon-free explanations and case examples, they present the information needed to inform good practice.

Essays by researchers, counselors, and health professionals identify the implications of the HIV/AIDS epidemic for women in Britain and present an overview of the important medical, social, cultural, and political issues raised for feminist theory and practice. Topics include the impact of HIV/AIDS on women's lives, the effectiveness of current services for women, and new models for challenging the social factors conducive to the spread of HIV. Includes a list of British organizations for women affected by AIDS. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Drawing on national and international policy analyses, on academic research and on a range of practical approaches to working with different groups, this work presents an holistic view of young people's sexuality and sexual health.