title: Access to sexual health services and support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities: an Australian cross-sector survey

authors: Frawley, Patsie

subjects: Social Sciences

abstract: Introduction
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) have the right to access sexual health services including information, education, and support. Little is known about the capacity of sexual health professionals to provide these services.

Methods
Using an observational research design, this study utilised a descriptive survey tool (PASH–Ext) that also encompassed a standardised measure, with a cross-sectional purposive sample of 52 Australian sexual health professionals. Data was collected in 2020.

Results
Just over half of the participants reported having received training in their preservice education to work with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, of these 60% held the view that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities would not feel embarrassed receiving sexual health information and support.

Conclusion
The study found that training is both important to the professionals’ preparedness to work with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and that these professionals advocate for the continuation of this training in pre-service courses and additional training in post service education for sexual health workers.

Policy Implications
To progressively realise Article 25 of the UNCRPD signatory, countries need to ensure sexual health services are accessible to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This study recommends that sexual health policy addresses equity of access for people with intellectual and developmental disability by ensuring all staff are prepared and supported to provide these services.

text: Access to sexual health services and support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities: an Australian cross-sector survey Introduction
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) have the right to access sexual health services including information, education, and support. Little is known about the capacity of sexual health professionals to provide these services.

Methods
Using an observational research design, this study utilised a descriptive survey tool (PASH–Ext) that also encompassed a standardised measure, with a cross-sectional purposive sample of 52 Australian sexual health professionals. Data was collected in 2020.

Results
Just over half of the participants reported having received training in their preservice education to work with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, of these 60% held the view that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities would not feel embarrassed receiving sexual health information and support.

Conclusion
The study found that training is both important to the professionals’ preparedness to work with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and that these professionals advocate for the continuation of this training in pre-service courses and additional training in post service education for sexual health workers.

Policy Implications
To progressively realise Article 25 of the UNCRPD signatory, countries need to ensure sexual health services are accessible to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This study recommends that sexual health policy addresses equity of access for people with intellectual and developmental disability by ensuring all staff are prepared and supported to provide these services.

year: 2022-06-02

title: The children of Melanesia.

authors: Karibule, Salome

subjects: Sunday schools

abstract: The article presents several heart-warming stories of the children of Melanesia. It tells the story of Mosmeli whose mother died before she turned eight and spent most of her time with a church member who brought her to Sunday school where she met Miss Kalolaen, her teacher who learned to look beyond the physical appearance of a person after that Mother's Day incident. It provides an overview of the story of two girls who helped an old man find his way home.

text: The children of Melanesia. The article presents several heart-warming stories of the children of Melanesia. It tells the story of Mosmeli whose mother died before she turned eight and spent most of her time with a church member who brought her to Sunday school where she met Miss Kalolaen, her teacher who learned to look beyond the physical appearance of a person after that Mother's Day incident. It provides an overview of the story of two girls who helped an old man find his way home.

year: 2001

title: Māori cultural definitions of sexual violence.

authors: Pihama, Leonie

abstract: Exploring definitions of sexual violence in Aotearoa highlights that on the whole such definitions are located within dominant Pākehā frameworks that do not provide adequately for understanding the context of sexual violence for Māori. As such Māori working in the area of healing the trauma of sexual violence have been developing frameworks which are enabling of culturally defined understandings and traditional knowledge as a basis by which to understand sexual violence in Aotearoa. Informed by te reo and tikanga Māori (Māori language and culture) Māori healers, social workers and health providers have moved beyond western definitions and have highlighted the link between acts of sexual violence and the violence of colonial invasion. This article explores Māori perspectives of the origins and impacts of sexual violence for Māori and advocates for Kaupapa Māori and decolonising approaches to be more fully supported and engaged in dealing with these issues within our communities.

text: Māori cultural definitions of sexual violence. Exploring definitions of sexual violence in Aotearoa highlights that on the whole such definitions are located within dominant Pākehā frameworks that do not provide adequately for understanding the context of sexual violence for Māori. As such Māori working in the area of healing the trauma of sexual violence have been developing frameworks which are enabling of culturally defined understandings and traditional knowledge as a basis by which to understand sexual violence in Aotearoa. Informed by te reo and tikanga Māori (Māori language and culture) Māori healers, social workers and health providers have moved beyond western definitions and have highlighted the link between acts of sexual violence and the violence of colonial invasion. This article explores Māori perspectives of the origins and impacts of sexual violence for Māori and advocates for Kaupapa Māori and decolonising approaches to be more fully supported and engaged in dealing with these issues within our communities.

year: 2016