Sex education experiences among young people with intellectual disability

Abstract

There are various laws and policies both local and foreign which address the various rights of young people with intellectual disability. Nevertheless, these rights, especially those related to sexuality, are often side-lined. Young people with intellectual disability are often viewed by society as angelic, non-sexual beings. In consequence these young people often experience a lack of opportunity and space where they can explore and learn about their sexuality. The focus of this dissertation is on the experiences of sex education among young people with intellectual disability and the experience of youth workers when it comes to the delivery of sessions on sexuality. Moreover, this study aims to explore the access to information related to sex education among young people with intellectual disability. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with professional youth workers and young people with intellectual disability. Participants were recruited from Aġenzija Żgħażagħ and Aġenzija Sapport. The data collected from the findings was analysed through thematic analysis focusing on the themes of the experiences and knowledge of youth workers and young people with intellectual disability on the subject of sex education and sexuality. Interviews were transcribed and the results portrayed that young people with intellectual disability experience a lack of knowledge and information related to sex education. In addition to this, overprotection was a theme which emerged, one which actively creates barriers for young people to learn more on sex and sexuality. On the other hand, all youth workers agreed that more awareness is needed with regards to this subject. Findings also reveal that more training is needed on the delivery of sex education for youth workers to be able to assist and deliver sessions on sexuality for the wellbeing of their clients.