Daniel Acton outlines the complexities involved in assessing whether people with learning disabilities can consent to sexual relationships without being exploited

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 emphasises the importance of assessing people’s capacity to make decisions about their lives. This is especially important when assessing vulnerable people’s ability to consent to sexual relationships. This is a complex issue because a balance must be struck between the need to safeguard people with learning disabilities from exploitation and abuse, and the need to promote their autonomy. This article discusses these issues, and the role of learning disability nurses in balancing risk with choice when consent to a sexual relationship is explored. It concludes that there is a relationship between improved sexual education and empowering people to make decisions about sexual relationships.