Page 2885 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 14 August 2019
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achieving sexual pleasure, such as in the case that was heard by the tribunal, and it is reasonable and necessary for the NDIS to fund the provision of services in this regard.
While most of us can choose who we wish to be sexually intimate with and satisfy our own needs, that is not always the case for someone with disability. While not all people with disability experience these challenges, some do not have the physical or intellectual capacity for sexual expression, and it should be legitimate that they can access the services of not only a sex therapist but a sex worker if they wish to satisfy their sexual needs. Access to such services can make a genuine, positive difference to their lives.
Another concern is whether the so-called male right to sex could lead to the sexual abuse of women, girls and boys. Organisations such as Family Planning Queensland suggest that many men with significant intellectual disabilities are perpetrating sexual offences. These offences are usually against women or children or other men who also have a disability because they are the people to whom those men have access. In effect, denying those men sexuality education and appropriate support could be increasing the risk of sexual assault against vulnerable people in our society. Certainly, access to sexual education and coaching, such as that provided by a sex therapist, can assist in understanding consent and respectful sexual practice.
Some people with disability have limited opportunities for sexual relationships because they lack privacy and are dependent on others for daily living tasks. They may be well cared for, but a lack of access to sexual release means their quality of life is diminished. Added to that, in all likelihood they do not have the independent financial means to access such services as they are unlikely to be unemployed and unable to pay for sexual services.
The NDIS allows people with disability more choice and control over their lives, and that means it allows them to decide for themselves what they want to eat, who they want to visit or what hobbies or pastimes they want to undertake. It should also mean they have a right to choose how to be intimate. Access to sex therapists and sex workers in this context can legitimately be seen as rehabilitative or positive for their mental health.
All of us, whether we have a disability or not, have a basic need to be loved and intimate, as well as to express love and affection, and this should not be denied to anybody. That is why I am happy to join in writing to the commonwealth minister to indicate the Assembly’s recognition that, like everyone else, people with disability have sexual needs and calling on the commonwealth government to adopt this position and not change the NDIS rules in a way that would diminish people’s ability to access these kinds of supports and therefore fulfil their needs and desires and, as much as possible, have an ordinary life. The Greens are pleased to support the motion.
Debate interrupted in accordance with standing order 74 and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour.
Sitting suspended from 12.06 to 2.00 pm.
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