1. Sharing women’s voices
Improving services for women with learning disabilities.
Rosie Smith – People First
Michelle Steel – People First

3. Do you know the real numbers

4. 8% of people with learning
disabilities in Scotland live with their partner

5. (Source: SCLD Learning Disability Statistics Scotland report; 2015)
The recorded figure is:
0.3%
(Source: SCLD Learning Disability Statistics Scotland report; 2015)

6. 5% of people with learning disabilities in Scotland
live in NHS facilities or hospitals

7. (Source: SCLD Learning Disability Statistics Scotland report; 2015)
The recorded figure is:
17%
(Source: SCLD Learning Disability Statistics Scotland report; 2015)

8. of people with learning disabilities in Scotland
10%
of people with learning
disabilities in Scotland
are in paid employment

9. (Source: SCLD Learning Disability Statistics Scotland report; 2015)
The recorded figure is: 6%
(Source: SCLD Learning Disability Statistics Scotland report; 2015)

10. 21% of parents with learning disabilities in Scotland have their children removed

11. The estimated figure is between: 40 – 60%
Wilson, S. et al. (2013) ‘A systematic review of interventions to promote social support and parenting skills in parents with an intellectual disability’ Child: Care, Health and Development, 40: 7-19

12. 18%
of people with learning disabilities in Scotland were enrolled in further education in 2015

13. The recorded figure is: 8%

14. In 2014 – 2015 there were 1,117 private Guardianship order applications for people with learning disabilities in Scotland and 23 were declined.

15. (Source: Mental Welfare Commission)
Only 2 were declined!
(Source: Mental Welfare Commission)

16. There were fewer disability hate crime reports in 2015- 16 than 2010-11.

17. (Source: Procurator Fiscal Office)
Disability hate crime reports in Scotland
were 4 times higher
in than in 2011.
(Source: Procurator Fiscal Office)

18. Nearly all people with learning disabilities have at some point been victims of abuse or harassment.

19. 25% of all people with disabilities in the UK were not given any sex education.

20. Research indicates that nearly 50% of disabled people don’t or didn’t receive any sex education

21. Women’s voices

22. “We need to build up our confidence about relationships and for there to be higher expectations that people with learning difficulties will have relationships. After all it is our right.”

23. “We need to learn about sex and relationships and not be left out of stuff like this, which is what usually happens.”

24. “At school I was sexually abused and bullied
“At school I was sexually abused and bullied. The teachers didn’t believe me when I told them about the bullying so I never said anything about the sexual abuse.”

25. What help might a woman with learning disabilities need from services?

26. Advice on prevention, protection and safety
Information on support organisations
Support to leave
How to live safely
How to get the abuser to leave
Medical treatment
Relationship advice
Safe place to go
Someone to talk to

27. Accessible Information
Communicate in terms we can understand
Take the time to listen
Explain our options
Help us make choices that will keep us safe

28. Some ideas from our members:
Training for all the different services, like the Police and women’s organisations, so they understand our needs and issues. People with learning disabilities to be involved in training. Information about women’s organisations on DVD, Easy read and other accessible formats. Long term support, if needed, by a worker you have a relationship with. Outreach from women’s workers to groups of women with learning disabilities. Advocacy support to get to meetings with women’s organisations. Support in refuges by staff who understand learning disability. Supported decision making

29. Thank you for listening! 