Lost voices part 1: A narrative case study of two young men with learning disabilities disclosing experiences of sexual, emotional and physical abuse

Abstract

Accessible Summary Two young men who have learning disabilities were students at a college. While they were there, they were sexually abused by people who were meant to care for them. When they tried to tell people, some people would not listen. Some people listened but could not understand them. They became mentally ill because of the abuse. Then, some people started to listen and help them tell their stories. Then, the police and the courts said that the two young men could not give evidence in court because of their learning disabilities. This paper matters because it writes about ways to protect people with learning disabilities from people who abuse them. We need to try and help people who have been abused to tell their stories. We need to make sure those stories are listened to. AbstractTwo young men disclosed emotional, sexual and physical abuse while attending college and living with Shared Lives carers in the UK. This paper provides a narrative account of the period when the two men were exposed to the abuse, the disclosures, the investigation and the legal and safeguarding investigation outcomes. A second paper describes the therapeutic response and outcomes for the men. A review of the literature on abuse and learning disabilities highlights the difficulties in conducting research in this area. Authors find significant barriers exist to disclosing abuse and to being believed. Prosecutions are rare despite evidence that abuse may be widespread towards people with learning disabilities. This paper considers the narrative experience of the two young men, the barriers they faced to being heard and believed and how their personal accounts were discounted and eventually lost to the investigation. Lessons for practice are considered for learning disability mental health and social care professionals, education, police and legal services. Further research suggestions are made.