Responding to the needs of people with learning disabilities who have been raped: co-production in action

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss a project that explored why mainstream rape support services are still failing to meet the needs of women with learning disabilities. Principles of co-production and action learning enabled a group of women, including women with learning disabilities, to share knowledge and skills and develop easy-read information leaflets. Design/methodology/approach – The project included representatives from a university, a third sector organisation and a rape crisis centre. Action learning methods were used to bring together a broad range of experience and expertise. The project was co-led by a woman with a learning disability and a lecturer in social work with people with learning disabilities. Findings – Three organisations had been toiling with a similar issue, that of responses to women with learning disabilities who had been raped. All had previously examined the problem from their own perspectives. An action learning process enabled them to explore the issues from a range of experiences, sharing knowledge and expertise and enabling them to begin to develop better service responses. While co-production may highlight competing priorities in and between organisations, it can also provide the means of managing these tensions. Social implications – The project demonstrated the importance of co-production. Working together led to a shared understanding of the barriers experienced by women with learning disabilities who experience rape and of the challenges faced by workers who aim to support them. This shared understanding enabled the action learning set to develop bespoke training and literature. Originality/value – The project demonstrates the importance of working with people with learning disabilities in order to develop services that truly meet their needs.