Adult protection and ‘intimate citizenship’ for people with learning difficulties: empowering and protecting in light of the No Secrets review

Abstract

The government are consulting on the introduction of legislation to give professionals powers to enter the homes of ‘vulnerable adults’ where abuse is suspected and remove the ‘victim’ without their consent . This article considers the consequences of such legislation for the ‘intimate citizenship’ of people with learning difficulties who have capacity to consent to sexual relationships. Proposals of the consultation are considered in terms of their practical relevance, finding that changes can be made with better guidance, resources, policy implementation and a sound evidence base for adult protection. A case is made that proposals contravene human rights, mental capacity laws and the ethos of personalisation, increasing the focus on risk in practice. An ecological model of vulnerability is supported, which offers an approach that can prevent sexual abuse through empowerment without the need for new legislation.

Keywords:

• sexuality
• ecological model
• learning difficulty
• adult protection
• safeguarding

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank Hannah Morgan for invaluable support and encouragement.