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Case example: explaining the trial process and a not guilty verdict
With ‘Bryan’, the LD ISVA arranged with police for a pre-court visit and ABE viewing to happen over two consecutive days so that she could check understanding and ensure Bryan was not overloaded with information.
The LD ISVA adapted the pre-trial visit so that it was delivered in a way he could understand. She arranged multiple visits
Overall, the ISVA’s support meant that people with LD were better able to go through the police and court process and it led to more successful outcomes.
LD ISVA: We can engage well with more people with complex needs and provide a good level of support, so more have stuck with the police process. And they have had more choices in the police process rather than someone just reporting on their behalf, being told that it’s going to video interview, being dragged through that process. It goes at their pace. We advocate for what people want.
around the time of the verdict to try to explain a not guilty verdict, which he struggled to understand.
She continued liaising with his support workers to try to make sure that clear and consistent messages about the verdict and his safety were being conveyed.
4b Sex and relationships education and consent
A significant risk factor for people with LD is
lack of sex education. Research has shown
that parents and carers mistakenly believe
that restricting access to sex education is the best way to protect people with LD from sexual abuse. However, this approach leaves people with LD with a limited understanding of sexual behaviour and sexual violence (Olsen and Carter, 2016). Sexual safety is better protected when LD services recognise sexuality. Teaching people about sex and relationships can help empower them to give or deny consent; engage in safe, healthy and happy sexual relationships; and teach them the language with which to describe and report experiences of sexual abuse (Acton 2015; Sinclair et al. 2015). This formed part of the LD ISVA’s role.
The LD ISVA found that in general, younger people had a better understanding of ‘body parts’, their functions, and their differences across men and women. Often, no one had spoken to older clients about these issues before.
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