Patterns of Risk in Adult Protection Referrals for Sexual Abuse and People with Intellectual Disability

Abstract

Background Adult protection monitoring data held by local authorities in England provide opportunities to examine referrals for alleged sexual abuse for people with intellectual disability to identify patterns of risk. Methods Adult protection monitoring data collected by two local authorities was analysed, with referrals for alleged sexual abuse compared to referrals for other types of abuse for people with intellectual disability and the wider research evidence. Results Over a fifth of referrals related to alleged sexual abuse, with two-thirds of these for women. Sexual abuse was confirmed in just over a quarter. Similarities were found with the findings of Brown et al. (Mental Handicap Research, 8, 1995:3) across a range of key characteristics. Conclusions Adult protection monitoring data can be used to provide risk management information on the sexual abuse of people with intellectual disability. To maximize its potential, detailed case characteristics need to be included and attention given to improving comparability between databases.