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Capacity to Consent: Policies and Practices that Limit Sexual Consent for People with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities

Sexuality and Disability volume 37, pages 633–644 (2019)Cite this article

Abstract

Consent determination is a common practice that has been championed as a logical approach (Lyden in Sex Disabil 25(1):3–20, 2007) to the sexual activity of individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. These practices are paternalistic and ineffectual, and need to be replaced with viable alternatives, such as sex-education provision. In this piece, I deconstruct the logic of this practice utilizing the case of Ashley X, contemporary research findings, an analysis provided by Perlin and Lynch (Sexuality, disability, and the law: beyond the last frontier?, Palgrave Macmillan, London, 2016) and Deborah Stone’s policy analysis framework (Stone in Policy paradox: the art of political decision making, 3rd edn, Norton, New York, 2012). I argue that prevention of sexual activity is not synonymous with protection from sexual harm—and, in fact, may paradoxically cause harm to this population. I dispute the notion that people without intellectual disabilities are more equipped to make sex-related decisions for this population. Additionally, the notion of consent in this population is treated as flexible, and primarily bends to facilitate the needs of people without disabilities. I conclude with several recommendations, including a request for protective civil rights legislation to defend the sexual and relationship rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

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  1. SUNY at Albany, Richardson 184, 135 Western Avenue, Albany, NY, 12222, USA

    Andrea Onstot

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  1. Andrea Onstot
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Onstot, A. Capacity to Consent: Policies and Practices that Limit Sexual Consent for People with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities. Sex Disabil 37, 633–644 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-019-09580-9

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Keywords

  • Policy
  • Consent
  • Capacity
  • Intellectual
  • Developmental
  • United States