Search

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to highlight the provision of therapy for witnesses who have a learning disability prior to and following a criminal trial. Authors will reflect on clinical practice whilst stressing that this area of work is in its infancy and both continue to learn through continued reflection and each new experience. Design/methodology/approach – The paper broadly describes the nature of pre-trial therapy followed by reflection by a Counsellor and Supervisor on their clinical practice. Findings – Authors describe some of the common themes that arise whilst providing pre-trial therapy. Social implications – The authors hope that the paper will encourage professionals involved in Safeguarding cases to fully consider the emotional needs of victims and to seek timely therapeutic support where the need presents. They also hope that it will encourage practitioners from various professions to consider providing this specialist and delicate type of therapy whilst highlighting the need for good supervision. Originality/value – There is a paucity of written information about this specific subject area. Although safeguarding of vulnerable adults has grown considerably over the last decade and investigations are now more likely to lead to legal action, the availability of emotional support for victims who have learning disabilities needs to be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to gather information that will be useful to practitioners who are assessing and trying to understand the difficulties of people with intellectual disabilities who may have experienced sexual abuse. In the first part of this paper the research into the effects of sexual abuse on people with learning disability is reviewed. In the second part of this paper, the major clinical implications of these findings are explored. These include the implications for abuse evaluations, identification of individuals at increased risk of disturbance, implications for treatment and provision of psychotherapeutic services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a practitioner working in the field of adult protection I became aware that, although the responses to reports of abuse have become more effective and consistent, access to treatment or therapy is limited. I therefore decided to explore the idea of using psychological approaches as interventions. My background is as a registered nurse and CAT (cognitive analytical therapy) practitioner. From some limited experience I have found that CAT can be a successful approach. In the course of this article I will examine the background to adult protection work in the UK, focusing on elder abuse, including self-neglect, in domiciliary settings, to show the need to explore new approaches to treatment for both those who have been abused and those who are in the position of abuser. A selection of psychological therapies are explored to determine their potential to offer support for this group and the article concludes with examples of the use of CAT with adult protection referrals and a summary of the benefits and obstacles to this approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]