A latest examine of 4,500 Swedish twins discovered that autistic ladies from ages 9-18 have been thrice as prone to expertise sexual assault when in comparison with their neurotypical counterparts. This statistic is especially alarming as women and girls with traits of ASD (Autism Spectrum Dysfunction) already face difficulties receiving the analysis, with the common age of analysis being 16 years of age. Kirsten Lindsmith, an autistic advocate and blogger, explains why these ladies are at an elevated danger for sexual assault:
“Autistic folks have a sort of handbook transmission mind, as we have now to be taught social abilities, as an alternative of it coming naturally. This combines with patriarchy, consent tradition, and points with sexuality. We don’t cognitively multitask very effectively and studying social conditions doesn’t occur intuitively. In our society, a whole lot of how sexuality and courtship works is oblique, not overt, and requires this dance of nonverbal communication. Autistic individuals are not inherently geared up until they be taught it painstakingly, after which it usually nonetheless takes much more effort to keep up. It’s an obstacle.”
Not solely do social deficits put them at higher danger for sexual assault, however it’s also steady social rejection that’s usually part of rising up autistic. This will result in elevated receptivity to constructive social consideration, making it troublesome to differentiate true, heat friendship from predatory behaviour:
“Having that directed constructive consideration will be so hypnotizing for somebody with that background. There’s this stage of social trauma in autism that can continuously make folks actually grateful to somebody who’s directing a whole lot of constructive consideration. Sexual want from predators can look quite a bit like constructive consideration, being pleasant, actually liking you, pondering you’re humorous. All a lot of these issues that don’t come from oblique courtship. They’re going to speak to you particularly greater than different folks, smile at you, have a look at you extra, perhaps stand near you, contact you a bit of – all these issues that you could be be starved for.”
In terms of what we will do to counteract this danger of sexual assault for autistic women and girls, Lindsmith suggests a number of methods which may be useful, resembling asking direct questions when emotions of discomfort come up:
“I prefer to ask questions, as I discover that saying no outright is commonly harmful, and asking questions can have the identical impact with a lot much less hazard. ‘What are we going to do there?’ Being authentically your self whenever you’re confused or offended may be very protecting.”
Different choices embody implementing a buddy system and discovering methods to have open conversations with trusted family and friends on boundaries in relationship. With the ability to talk about one’s ideas and emotions just isn’t solely a useful supply of assist, but in addition permits for others to provide folks on the spectrum concrete recommendation on how one can navigate troublesome and uncomfortable conditions. Nevertheless, this feature is mostly extra accessible for women and should place autistic boys at an obstacle. Lindsmith explains:
“The buddy system is among the assets that autistic women and girls usually have that isn’t as straightforward to entry for autistic boys and males. Tony Atwood calls this the ‘Mom Hen pal’ phenomenon, the place woman gender tradition encourages nurturing, guiding behaviour. Women are far more prepared to take somebody below their wing, train the nerdy pal how one can costume. Say you go to a celebration, you don’t go alone, you go together with your Mom Hen pal, who you belief, and don’t depart their facet. Act like they’re your service canine.”
With all of this in thoughts, among the finest methods to cut back the danger of sexual assault for autistic folks could merely lie in consciousness. Facilitating this understanding of this danger for the person, their pals, household, and therapist can enhance entry to the correct of assist.
“I believe one of the best factor is to only bear in mind that that is actual. It’s actual, it occurs to everybody, and it’s not one thing you’re protected against simply since you don’t give it some thought.”
– Elizabeth Liu, Contributing Author
Picture Credit:
Characteristic: Aleksandar Kurešević at Unsplash, Artistic Commons
First: Jack Finnigan at Unsplash, Artistic Commons
Second: kevin laminto at Unsplash, Artistic Commons
