People with disabilities need sex education

A person with disabilities might not know about:

• The words that describe sexual anatomy like penis, vagina etc.
• Consent, the fact that everyone has right to say “yes” or “no” to sex. They may not recognise if they are being forced or tricked  into sexual experiences. You can learn more about this on the Neve page Consent (internal link).
• Birth control and safe sex. It puts them at risk of sexually transmitted infections.
• Pregnancy and ways to prevent it. It puts them at risk of unwanted pregnancy. It can impact their fertility.
• Sexual pleasure, including how to get it and share it.
• Positive attitudes towards sex. Instead, they may experience shame.

If you support someone with disabilities and would like to help them learn about sexual health, resources are available. You can visit the SECCA website for more information (external link).

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People with disabilities need privacy and independence

People with disabilities may experience:

• Pressure to include family and carers in medical appointments, including ones to do with birth control and sexual health.
• Unhelpful social attitudes about sex and disability, like assumptions that people with disabilities aren’t sexual or shouldn’t have sex.
• A lack of choice, with family members, carers or medical professionals making choices for them instead.
• Unwanted sexual attention in group homes or from carers or support workers.
• Challenges in figuring out where and how to have sex in private.
• Assumptions that they can’t have children or would make bad parents.
• Conflict with carers, family members and support workers about gender identity and sexual expression.

Give the person you support the help they need to make informed choices. This approach is called supported decision-making. You can learn more about this on the Neve page Supported decision making (internal link).