O'Callaghan A C, Murphy G H
Tizard Centre, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, UK.
J Intellect Disabil Res. 2007 Mar;51(Pt 3):197-206. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2788.2006.00857.x.
Adults with intellectual disabilities (IDs) are known to be very vulnerable to sexual abuse. This may result partly from their lack of sexual knowledge and their powerless position in society. It could also be exacerbated by an ignorance of the law. This study investigates their understanding of the law relating to sexuality.
Understanding of the law regarding sexual relationships, consent and abuse was assessed in 60 adults with IDs (mean age 37.6 years) and 60 young people aged 16-18 years (deemed in law capable of consenting to a sexual relationship). Questions were wide ranging, including general laws around sexuality and abuse, as well as the law relating to sexual relationships and ID.
There were significant differences between the two groups: adults with IDs had a very limited understanding of the general laws relating to sexuality (e.g. age of consent, incest, abuse), as well as the law relating to sexuality and IDs (e.g. whether they could have sexual relationships, whether they were allowed to marry, what protection they should expect from the law). Young people without disabilities showed a better understanding, both for general laws and for those relating specifically to adults with IDs.
These findings show that there is a need to educate people with IDs about the laws relating to sexuality. It is important for people to understand the law and, given the high rates of sexual abuse perpetrated against people with ID, it is essential for them to benefit from the protection the law affords. The new law in England (Sexual Offences Act 2003) post-dated this study. It will be interesting to see whether the new legislation is easier for people with and without disabilities to understand.
已知成年智障人士极易遭受性虐待。这可能部分是由于他们缺乏性知识以及在社会中的弱势地位。对法律的无知也可能加剧这种情况。本研究调查了他们对与性相关法律的理解。
对60名成年智障人士（平均年龄37.6岁）和60名16 - 18岁的年轻人（法律上被视为有能力同意发生性关系）进行了关于性关系、同意和虐待方面法律理解的评估。问题范围广泛，包括围绕性和虐待的一般法律，以及与性关系和智障相关的法律。
两组之间存在显著差异：成年智障人士对与性相关的一般法律（如同意年龄、乱伦、虐待）以及与性和智障相关的法律（如他们是否可以发生性关系、是否被允许结婚、他们应期望从法律中得到何种保护）的理解非常有限。无残疾的年轻人对一般法律以及专门针对成年智障人士的法律表现出更好的理解。
这些发现表明有必要对智障人士进行与性相关法律的教育。人们了解法律很重要，而且鉴于针对智障人士的性虐待发生率很高，他们从法律提供的保护中受益至关重要。英国的新法律（2003年《性犯罪法》）在本研究之后出台。看看新立法对有残疾和无残疾的人来说是否更容易理解将会很有趣。
