Röster som vill höras

Sexuality is a fundamental aspect of human life, encompassing a broad spectrum of experiences, emotions, and relationships. For young adults with intellectual disabilities, navigating this complex area can be particularly challenging due to consequences of the disability as well as a result of societal norms, misconceptions, and barriers to open communication. This licentiate thesis examines the sexuality of young adults with intellectual disabilities in relation to three central areas: sexual experiences, consent, and their conversations with others about sexuality and intimacy. The study is qualitative, and grounded in the voices of young adults, comprising 22 individual interviews. This compilation thesis comprises two articles. Article I, entitled A thin line between consent and abuse - Reflections on sexual experiences among Swedish young adults with intellectual disabilities, focuses on sexual experiences and understandings of consent. The result shows broad variations of sexual experiences and challenges related to sexual consent. The study demonstrates that sexual agency is important for the ability to navigate in sexual situations. This highlights the complexity of the participants' sexual lives, in which challenges and sexual agency coexist. The article problematizes societal perceptions that often frame sexual experiences of young adults with intellectual disabilities as solely being characterized by vulnerability or risk, while the result also mirror more positive experiences among the target group. Article II, Sharing Intimate Stories: Conversations with Support Networks About Sexuality and Intimacy Among Young Adults with Intellectual Disabilities in Sweden, explores how young adults engage in conversations about their sexual and intimate lives and experiences with their family, friends and support networks. The results imply that these conversations are crucial for an understanding of sexuality and to promote a sense of sexual agency among young adults with intellectual disabilities. The study shows the participants' active role in initiating and participating in these conversations, which further emphasizes their sexual agency. An important insight from the study is the significance of the environment and of personal characteristics in creating the safety required for these conversations to take place. Factors such as the physical environment, timing, and the characteristics of conversation partners, including openness and a trust-inspiring attitude, proved to be crucial in establishing an atmosphere in which participants felt safe to discuss intimate topics. However, the study also shows that these dialogues are often hindered by restrictive attitudes towards sexuality and intellectual disability and a lack of open communication around sexuality and disability. For social work professionals, and staff members particularly those working closely with young adults with intellectual disabilities, these findings underscore the importance of creating supportive environments that facilitate open and respectful conversations about sexuality. Understanding the factors that contribute to a safe and trusting environment is essential for practitioners aiming to foster meaningful conversations and to support the sexual agency of this population. In conclusion, this study contributes to an in-depth knowledge on sexual experiences, sexual consent, and sexual conversations among young adults with intellectual disabilities. By highlighting the participants' own voices and reflections on these areas, the study illuminates both challenges as well as sexual agencies   among target group's sexual lives. The findings emphasize the need for social work practices to adopt an inclusive and respectful approaches to support young adults' sexual health and well-being. This includes recognizing and promoting sexual agency while creating safe environments and relationships that enable open conversations about sexuality and intimacy. These results may form the basis for future research, policy development, and practical interventions in social work. Addressing the identified challenges and barriers will improve living conditions for young adults with intellectual disabilities to explore and express sexuality in a safe and self-determining manner, while also respecting and enhancing sexual agency.