Criminal justice responses to victim-survivors of sexual violence with learning disabilities: findings from a local study in North East England

This article presents findings from research that explored local criminal justice responses to people with learning disabilities reporting sexual violence. The article presents data collected in interviews with victim-survivors and stakeholders. Findings suggest that the criminal justice system creates key barriers to justice for people with learning disabilities/autism when reporting sexual violence. Barriers include learning disabilities not being recognised or understood, a lack of effective communication, and a lack of appropriate support, alongside people with learning disabilities/autism not being viewed as ‘credible witnesses’ by the police or courts. The article concludes that current working practices are inherently discriminatory to those with atypical frames of reference and need adjustment to better support victim-survivors of sexual violence who have additional needs.