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.
Learning Disability Practice. 18, 6, 36-39. doi: 10.7748/ldp.18.6.36.e1656
Correspondence Peer reviewThis article has been subject to double-blind review and has been checked using antiplagiarism software
Conflict of interestNone declared
Received: 09 April 2015
Accepted: 19 May 2015
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