Three philosophical beliefs that guided this policy
development:
People with Developmental Disabilities
have a right to:
. . . grow into adulthood and grow into adult
relationships
. . . have a safe place to live
. . . have information in order to be able to form
healthy relationships
These policies were adapted from
"Relationships and Sexuality: A Guide To Policy For Individuals with
Intellectual Disabilities and Their Residential Service Providers",
a project of the Regional Residential Services Society and the Nova
Scotia Department of Health.
To download a copy of the Nova Scotia guide
press here
Healthy Relationships, Sexuality
and Prevention of Abuse
Policy Standards
Introduction
The following policies regarding "Healthy Relationships,
Sexuality and Prevention of Abuse" were developed in response to
continuing issues, experiences and concerns expressed by people with
developmental disabilities and their families throughout our area.
These policies are broad recommendations developed
by an Advisory Committee of self-advocates, parents and community
members, and were adopted by the Board of Directors of Far Northern
Regional Center and Area 2 Developmental Disabilities Board.
Each agency, vendor or entity serving people with developmental
disabilities is encouraged to develop their own plan and protocols
for implementing these policy standards.
No single set of policies can adequately address
issues related to specific individual cases and situations.
Persons who are minors, or adults who are conserved, will need unique
considerations depending on parent involvement and the individual's
legally defined status.
Implementation of these polices may need to be modified and
adapted to each individual's unique characteristics, abilities,
developmental capabilities and personal values.
Each agency will need to develop its own staff
training schedule and competency evaluation to ensure that staff are
adequately prepared to assist the persons with developmental
disabilities that they serve.
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Policies for all Agencies Serving People with
Developmental Disabilities
Staff Training & Education
 All
agencies providing services to persons with developmental
disabilities will provide training to ensure that their staff are
competent in responding to the needs of persons with developmental
disabilities in the areas of safety, health, relationships,
self-esteem, and sexuality.
Education for Persons with Developmental Disabilities
Socio-sexual and health education will be provided for all persons
with developmental disabilities, regardless of degree of disability.
All such education will provide accurate information presented in a
non-judgmental, sensitive and culturally respectful manner. Parents
of minors will be provided education, support and resources so that
they can exercise primary responsibility for this education.
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Boundaries
All staff and persons with developmental disabilities will
receive education and training to assure that professional and
personal boundaries are established, maintained and respected.
Privacy
of Socio-Sexual Information and Documentation
Any documentation concerning sexual matters in the file of
a person with developmental disabilities will be limited to issues
of health and safety. All communication and documentation will be
respectful of the person's dignity and self-determination, and will
be treated as confidential in nature. People with developmental
disabilities have a right to access their files.
Privacy of Space
Privacy of space and time is presumed to be a need for all
people, allowing for independent thought, relaxation, pursuit of
personal relationships, or disengagement from social pressures.
Individuals with developmental disabilities will have access to
private space within their place of residence.
Privacy of Personal Care
Intimate personal care, such as personal hygiene, dressing
and like activities, for persons with developmental disabilities
will be conducted with the consent of the individual and in a manner
that is respectful of dignity and privacy.
Relationships
Mutual social relationships such as friendships, dating, loving
relationships and marriage are important components of human
wellness. Agencies will support persons with developmental
disabilities in developing and maintaining unpaid relationships.
Marriage
Persons with d evelopmental
disabilities will have access to information, services and
counseling to assist them in exercising their rights and
responsibilities to make informed decisions regarding marriage.
Consent for Mutual Sexual Expression
Consent is integral to relationships and sexuality. Agencies will
support people with developmental disabilities in increasing their
knowledge, skills and ability to give and withhold their consent for
sexual activities.
Mutual Sexual Expression
Mutual sexual expression, which is private and between
consenting adults, is a healthy and pleasurable expression of
affection, intimacy and sexuality. Sexual expressions are matters of
individual choice and will be respectfully acknowledged.
Personal Sexual Expression
Personal values guide personal choices. Sexual
self-stimulation is to be done in private and in a way which does
not intrude on others. Adults who choose to have sexual materials
will keep them in a private place and use them safely. Care
providers and other staff will not impose their values on those they
serve.
S.T.D. Prevention
Persons with developmental disabilities will be provided
with accurate information about Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
including risks, signs and symptoms, means of transmission, testing,
treatment and recommended precautions.
Reproductive Health Care
Persons with developmental disabilities will have access to
reproductive health care information and services.
Birth Control
Persons with developmental disabilities will have access to
information, services and counseling to assist them in exercising
their rights and responsibilities to make informed decisions
regarding birth control methods.
Pregnancy
Persons with developmental disabilities will have access to
information, services and counseling to assist them in exercising
their rights and responsibilities to make informed decisions
regarding pregnancy. 
Parenting
Persons with developmental disabilities will have access to
information, services and counseling to assist them in exercising
their rights and responsibilities to make informed decisions
regarding parenting.
Sexual Abuse
All individuals have the right to live free of sexual abuse
and sexual harassment. All staff and persons with developmental
disabilities will receive education and training regarding early
identification of suspected abuse, abuse prevention, reporting, and
accessing appropriate services.
Mandatory Reporting of Abuse
All agencies recognize the status of employees as mandatory
reporters.
Response to Sexual Misconduct
Persons with developmental disabilities who engage in
sexual behavior that has potential of placing them in conflict with
the law will receive information and counseling with the goal of
eliminating risks and sustaining quality community life.
Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention
Persons with developmental disabilities will
be provided with accurate information about the use of drugs and
alcohol including signs and symptoms of abuse, health and safety
risks, precautions, and treatment resources.
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Revised August 2002
Published by: Far Northern Regional Center
and the
Area 2 Developmental Disabilities Board
Permission to copy and distribute is granted.
This document may not by sold.
Updated
Wednesday January 27, 2010 |
