NCJ Number
203623
Journal
Child Abuse Review Volume: 12 Issue: 5 Dated: September-October 2003 Pages: 305-314
Date Published
September 2003
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This paper reports on the preliminary findings of an ongoing British research project that is examining issues related to the dynamics and response to sexual abuse perpetrated by adolescents with a learning disability.
Abstract
This research being conducted under the sponsorship of The Ann Craft Trust aims to provide new information that can help shape future best practice in this field. The research was stimulated by the realization that there is a dearth of information about the specific factors associated with sexual abuse by adolescents with learning disabilities. The study is being undertaken in collaboration with four local authorities selected on the basis of their willingness to participate in the research. The first stage of the research has involved the identification of current practice regarding the management of this group of adolescents by each authority participating in the study. Initial meetings with child protection managers and other relevant staff in the four authority areas have found significant variation in the means by which such cases are handled. Only one of the authorities follows the suggested standard procedure of assessing juvenile abusers under children-in-need protocols. All of the procedures lack supportive interventions for the victims. There is the possibility that court diversion schemes in place for juvenile perpetrators may have a negative impact upon victims. None of the procedures currently used includes any means for recording whether or not an alleged abuser has a learning disability; and many social workers are apparently unsure of their ability to identify such a disability absent existing indicators of such a disability, notably involvement in a special education program. Some of the difficulties and challenges of the research project are identified and discussed. 25 references