Sexual surveillance and control in a community-based intellectual disability service

Feely, Michael

doi:10.1177/1363460715620575

Cited by 18 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…The question, how do integrated dancers practice timing in rehearsal, might have been better addressed by a participant observation study, rather than by arts-based participatory research. I felt, however, that the collaborative orientation offered by arts-based participatory research was more appropriate to working with a group of marginalized people from populations who are often under surveillance (Feely, 2016;Hilton, 2017). I chose to prioritize ethics over a clear connection between the question being asked and the methodology used 3 .…”

Section: Multiple Research Questionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reflecting on my Assumptions and the Realities of Arts-Based Participatory Research in an Integrated Dance Community

Acton¹

2019

ESJ

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The arts-based research paradigm prioritizes creativity, relationships and the potential of transformative change (Conrad & Beck, 2016). Arts-based research may be useful in disability communities where people may prefer to communicate artistically or through movement, rather than through spoken word (Eales & Peers, 2016). Participatory action research (PAR) involves researchers working with communities to create research critical of dominant power relations and responsive to the needs of communities (McIntyre, 2008). Both arts-based research and PAR value an axiological approach that is responsive to the community’s needs over a dogmatic procedure, meaning that researchers must be reflexive and responsive to the often unexpected realities of the field. Over four months in 2017, eight dancers/researchers from CRIPSiE (Collaborative Radically Integrated Performers Society in Edmonton), an integrated dance company, came together to investigate how integrated dancers practice elements of timing in rehearsal, through an arts-based, participatory process. In this paper I examine the gap between my assumptions of how research should be conducted and the reality of the field, specifically: the tension between university research ethics and the ethics of the CRIPSiE community, the differences between the value of the rehearsal process and the performance as sites of data collection, and the assumptions I had made about the necessity of a singular research question.

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Section: Multiple Research Questionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reflecting on my Assumptions and the Realities of Arts-Based Participatory Research in an Integrated Dance Community

Acton¹

2019

ESJ

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“…Disabled people, specifically those with cognitive or intellectual impairments, are often presumed to be vulnerable and unable to comprehend the complexities of sexual relationships and experiences (Hollomotz, 2011;Löfgren-Mårtenson, 2004;Shakespeare, 2014). Women with disabilities are particularly perceived as vulnerable to sexual exploitation (Feely, 2016;Fish, 2016;McCarthy, 1999), whereas men with cognitive or intellectual impairments are often stereotyped as predatory and licentious (Barrett, 2014;Bedard, Zhang, & Zucker, 2010;Desjardins, 2012;Parmenter, 2001;Shuttleworth & Sanders, 2010). Unfortunately, as literature on this subject has shown, the concept of vulnerability can be invoked in order to "deny people with intellectual disabilities the right to make choices, take risks and live independently" (Shakespeare, 2014, p. 219;Feely, 2016;Hollomotz, 2011).…”

Section: Barriers To Sexual Expressionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Women with disabilities are particularly perceived as vulnerable to sexual exploitation (Feely, ; Fish, ; McCarthy, ), whereas men with cognitive or intellectual impairments are often stereotyped as predatory and licentious (Barrett, ; Bedard, Zhang, & Zucker, ; Desjardins, ; Parmenter, ; Shuttleworth & Sanders, ). Unfortunately, as literature on this subject has shown, the concept of vulnerability can be invoked in order to “deny people with intellectual disabilities the right to make choices, take risks and live independently” (Shakespeare, , p. 219; Feely, ; Hollomotz, ). As Hollomotz () argues, “undue protection from risks and opportunities associated with everyday life may disable individuals from becoming competent social and sexual actors and from accessing information and services that have the potential to reduce sexual ‘vulnerability’ ” (p. 1).…”

Section: Barriers To Sexual Expressionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Disabilities and sexual expression: A review of the literature

Campbell

2017

Sociology Compass

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Since the late 1980s and early 1990s, scholars have sought to advance a more nuanced and robust understanding of the sexual lives of disabled people. In doing so, these scholars have identified some of the barriers to sexual expression that disabled people face as well as some of the positive and pleasurable aspects of disabled people's sexual lives. This article reviews research regarding the sexual expression and activity of disabled people as well as some of the challenges to sexual expression that people with disabilities experience. Persons with disabilities—whether they are acquired, congenital, intellectual, physical, and/or sensorial impairments—continue to encounter alienation, stigmatization, and discrimination, particularly in terms of their sexuality. However, I argue that if proper laws, policies, and adequate supports are in place, people with disabilities can further challenge and push past these barriers to engage in a wide array of sexual and erotic acts. Furthermore, although the amount of disability‐sexuality‐related research has increased over past decades, I argue that many intersections of disability and sexuality remain under‐studied and that further research in this field is necessary.

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“…The juggling act staff feel they perform between helping people regarding sex and relationships (such as finding a partner) and protecting them from harm is commonly reported in the literature (Maguire, Gleeson, & Holmes, 2019). Feely (2016) acknowledges the conflict faced by staff who limit privacy through observation, record keeping and reporting potential safeguarding concerns, but also uphold a commitment to supporting sexual rights. Staff have to walk a fine line balancing the need to protect, without being overly controlling, and limiting sexual freedom through lack of privacy (Feely, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Feely (2016) acknowledges the conflict faced by staff who limit privacy through observation, record keeping and reporting potential safeguarding concerns, but also uphold a commitment to supporting sexual rights. Staff have to walk a fine line balancing the need to protect, without being overly controlling, and limiting sexual freedom through lack of privacy (Feely, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Always trying to walk a bit of a tightrope”: The role of social care staff in supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to develop and maintain loving relationships

Bates

McCarthy

Skillman

et al. 2020

Brit J Learn Disabil

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Accessible Summary Support staff play an important role in helping people with learning disabilities to meet a partner and have a relationship. Not getting good support can make it difficult for people to have a relationship. Many support staff want to help people to have a relationship, but are worried about people being abused. This is especially true for those who do not have a lot of staff support. Support staff do not always get good support themselves to help people with learning disabilities to have relationships, such as training and a policy to follow. This makes it hard for them to know what they are allowed to help with. Abstract BackgroundPeople with intellectual and developmental disabilities face challenges in developing and maintaining intimate relationships, frequently requiring support from staff. MethodFocus groups were conducted with 26 social care staff members to explore the support they provided to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to find a potential partner and/or develop an existing relationship. ResultsStaff reported that many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities wanted to be in a relationship and that they did what they could to facilitate this, sometimes providing substantial support. Some staff had to address complex issues relating to sexuality, often with no training and with a lack of clear organisational policies. ConclusionThe need for external inspection and regulatory bodies to prioritise relationship support is emphasised.

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Sexual surveillance and control in a community-based intellectual disability service

Cited by 18 publications

References 31 publications

Reflecting on my Assumptions and the Realities of Arts-Based Participatory Research in an Integrated Dance Community

Reflecting on my Assumptions and the Realities of Arts-Based Participatory Research in an Integrated Dance Community

Disabilities and sexual expression: A review of the literature

“Always trying to walk a bit of a tightrope”: The role of social care staff in supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to develop and maintain loving relationships

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