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National survey of sexual behavior and sexual behavior policies
in facilities for individuals with mental retardation/developmental disabilities.
Mental Retardation 2003;41(5):365-373.
Gust DA, Wang SA, Grot J, Ransom R, Levine WC.
Abstract
To obtain information regarding sexual behavior and related policies in state
residential facilities for individuals with mental retardation/developmental
disabilities, we sent surveys to 168 members listed in the Association of
Public Developmental Disabilities Administrators 1998-1999 directory. Response
rate was 68.5%. For the 46 facilities where 50% or fewer of clients had profound
retardation, sexual relations between clients was reported to occur "sometimes" or "often" by
29 (63%). Six of 115 (5.2%) administrators reported at least one client with
a sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the past year. Of 110 instances of
sexual abuse reported, the perpetrator was another client in 63% of cases.
Ninety-six percent of administrators (n = 110) reported their facility had
written guidelines concerning sexual abuse. Careful monitoring of STDs and
the effectiveness of sex education will be instrumental in preventing HIV/STDs
and helping prevent sexual abuse in this vulnerable population.