Preventing rape and sexual assault of people with learning disabilities

Abstract

This article will explore the increased prevalence of rape and sexual assault among people with a learning disability and identify factors that exist which increase this client group's vulnerability to becoming a victim of sexual abuse. There is significant under-reporting of such incidents and very few cases end up in prosecution. Within the nursing profession, there is much more that can be done to help decrease the level of vulnerability of people with a learning disability and to work with other agencies to advocate for legal justice and therapeutic redress for individuals.