Literature Review on Provision of Appropriate and Accessible ...
Literature Review on Provision of Appropriate and Accessible ...
Literature Review on Provision of Appropriate and Accessible ...
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PAGE 109<br />
laws generally require that courts determine three factors in assessing a<br />
victim’s capacity to c<strong>on</strong>sent:<br />
• Knowledge <strong>of</strong> relevant facts<br />
Victim’s awareness <strong>of</strong> the nature <strong>and</strong> c<strong>on</strong>sequences <strong>of</strong> sexual<br />
activity, which can be interpreted by the courts either narrowly<br />
(basic underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>of</strong> the physiological aspects <strong>of</strong> sexual<br />
c<strong>on</strong>tact) or broadly (awareness <strong>of</strong> the moral, ethical, <strong>and</strong><br />
emoti<strong>on</strong>al dimensi<strong>on</strong>s <strong>of</strong> sexual c<strong>on</strong>tact).<br />
Support to People with an Intellectual Disability who are<br />
<strong>Accessible</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> <strong>Appropriate</strong> <strong>of</strong> Provisi<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Review</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Literature</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Experiencing Crisis Pregnancy<br />
• Intellectual ability<br />
Evaluati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> the victim’s ability to comprehend <strong>and</strong> rati<strong>on</strong>ally<br />
evaluate the risks <strong>and</strong> benefits <strong>of</strong> engaging in sexual activity.<br />
• Voluntariness<br />
Assessment <strong>of</strong> the victim’s vulnerability to coerci<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> level <strong>of</strong><br />
underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>of</strong> the fact that she may choose to engage in or<br />
refrain from sexual activity (Reed, 1997; Stavis, 1991).<br />
The lowest threshold for capacity is evident for New Jersey, where in<br />
order to be capable <strong>of</strong> providing c<strong>on</strong>sent, the complainant <strong>on</strong>ly needs<br />
to know the physical nature <strong>of</strong> the sexual act <strong>and</strong> that she has the right<br />
to refuse it. At the other extreme, courts in seven states, [67] including<br />
New York, have held that the complainant must not <strong>on</strong>ly underst<strong>and</strong> the<br />
physiological aspects <strong>of</strong> sex, but also be able to c<strong>on</strong>sider its potential<br />
c<strong>on</strong>sequences, (such as pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases) <strong>and</strong><br />
the moral dimensi<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> choosing to engage in sexual activity (Benedet<br />
<strong>and</strong> Grant, 2007). In <strong>on</strong>e Canadian case, R v A.A. (2001), [68] which<br />
dealt with the issue <strong>of</strong> capacity, a test similar to the middle ground<br />
prevailing in most US states was adopted, which is that the complainant<br />
underst<strong>and</strong>s the physiological aspects <strong>of</strong> sex as well as its potential<br />
c<strong>on</strong>sequences <strong>of</strong> pregnancy <strong>and</strong> disease transmissi<strong>on</strong> (Benedet <strong>and</strong><br />
Grant, 2007). However, in additi<strong>on</strong>, the trial judge in the case recognised<br />
that capacity includes an underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>of</strong> the absolute right to choose<br />
67 Highest threshold states include Alabama, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois,<br />
New York, <strong>and</strong> Washingt<strong>on</strong>. Denno, D.W. (1997) ‘Sexuality, Rape, <strong>and</strong> Mental<br />
Retardati<strong>on</strong>’ University <strong>of</strong> Illinois Law <str<strong>on</strong>g>Review</str<strong>on</strong>g>. 315.<br />
68 R. v. A.A. (2001), 144 O.A.C. 382, 155 C.C.C. (3d) 279, 43 C.R. (5 th ) 272 [A.A.].