Who are we ? Why are we ?



Sexual abuse is a fundamental infringement of psychological and physical integrity and of basic human rights. For too long it has been hidden from view behind ignorance, denial and an inability to competently respond. Today, at last, it is beginning to be generally accepted that sexual abuse does occur, and that we must do all we can to prevent it.

People with learning disabilities are not the only victims in the story of abuse, but studies show they are exposed to at least the same and probably more risk of abuse as/than other people and that they require at least the same level of protection and access to redress (cfr. Report Council of Europe, Partial Agreement in the Social and Public Health Field : Safeguarding adults and children with disabilities against abuse).

People with learning disabilities, their parents and related professionals do not always know how to prevent sexual abuse and how to seek or provide help when abuse does occur. Yet the right response and support is vitally necessary.

Under the auspices of the Daphne Programme of the European Commission, EASPD, the European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities was given the opportunity to develop and launch a

"Knowledge Centre for the Prevention of
and Response to Sexual Abuse
of People with a Learning Disability".



Purpose of the knowledge centre

International partners from 9 European countries have been working together to map out the situation in different countries. The knowledge centre offers information about key issues and findings with regard to sexual abuse, and creates the opportunity to exchange ideas and develop networks of advice and support. It is also a dissemination centre and also a means to enhance awareness. It is open to people with a learning disability, their parents and related professionals.

The information presented here can be considered as a starting point of the development of common frameworks and models of good practice in the future.


A variety of information : richness and weaknesses

A great deal of information has been compiled. It is grouped into distinct but interlinked categories. There is a wide variety of sources - from services, legal frameworks, literature, research and a previous Daphne Project. Each partner and country has a different perspective and context and therefore it is not a straightforward task to make comparisons. Nevertheless, there are some key themes which are already emerging, and EASPD is determined to continue to work on adding more coherent information. The information will of course never be completed and continually evolving.


Contact us

If you would like to contact us, please email EASPD at info[at]easpd[dot]be. EASPD can only commit itself to reply to your request on a weekly basis (see § EASPD at the search of new funding).


International Project Team

Core Project Partners :

Experts : Associated Partners :

New Daphne project

"Safeguarding people with disabilities against sexual violence-with particular reference to the experiences and insights of the families"

Since March 2005 a new project on "Safeguarding people with learning disabilities against sexual violence – with particular reference to the experiences and insights of the families" is running under the Daphne Programme of the European Commission, Directorate General Justice, Freedom and Security. The project will end up in June 2006.

The project will contribute to preventing sexual abuse of people with learning disabilities by involving people with learning disabilities and four main target groups: families, service providers, scientific and health experts, and policy makers at the national and European levels.

The aims of the project are:

The project is particularly based on the Council of Europe report "Safeguarding adults and children with disabilities against abuse' and the work of Prof. Hilary Brown (lead scientific expert) complemented by the experiences of the previous Daphne project of the EASPD, which collected data from the EU countries on key issues to be addressed in achieving coherent, sustained improvement regarding prevention of sexual abuse.

For further information on this topic, please contact Dorina Iuga at EASPD, tel. +32/(0)2/282 46 13

or

Phil Madden, at HFT, tel. + 44 78 36 38 07 78

Partners in this project

Project promoter

Project partners

Associate partner