Sexual Exploitation

The sexual exploitation of adults with care and support needs involves exploitative situations, contexts and relationships where adults with care and support needs or a third person or persons, receive “something”, for example food, accommodation, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, affection, gifts, money as a result of performing sexual activities, and/or others performing sexual activities on them.

Sexual exploitation can occur through the use of technology without the person’s immediate recognition. This can include being persuaded to post sexual images or videos on the internet or a mobile phone with no immediate payment or gain, or being sent such an image by the person alleged to be causing harm. In all cases those exploiting the adult have power over them by virtue of their age, gender, intellect, physical strength, and/or economic or other resources.

Signs of either abuse or exploitation might include:

• Depression
• Withdrawal from regular activities, unusually subdued, or poor concentration
• Unexplained fear or anxiety
• Urinary tract infections, vaginal infections or sexually transmitted diseases that are not otherwise explained.
• Experiencing pain, itching or bleeding in the genital/anal area
• Exhibiting significant changes in sexual behaviour or outlook
• Torn, stained or bloody clothing and/or underclothing
• A woman who lacks the mental capacity to consent to sexual intercourse becomes pregnant

Sexual abuse in adulthood is a traumatic experience, and it can have a tremendous negative impact on the survivor. These impacts may be felt immediately by some survivors, while in others it may manifest months or years later. For some survivors, the impact of sexual abuse may be short-lived while, for others, it could stay with them for the rest of their lives. Typically, sexual abuse affects adults on three levels: the impact on their physical and sexual health; the psychological impact the abuse leaves behind; and the social and relational impact on the individual.