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The Australian Sex Party Sexual Rights for Seniors and People with a Disability |
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Written by ASP Staff
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Monday, 20 September 2010 11:26 |
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Key Policies:
*To eliminate the range of discriminatory practices against seniors and people with a disability, from planning laws that make adult shops inaccessible to wheelchair users to wider issues about social inclusion, desirability, stigma and stereotype
*To support the availability and accessibility of facilitated sexual services for people with a disability and seniors
* To address the lack of specific sexual education for people with a disability
*To ensure sexual services and education cater to people of all genders and orientations
*To legalise sex work in all states
*To address the lack of portrayals in the media of sexually desirable seniors and people with a disability through supporting positive role models
The Sex Party recognises that many structural, systematic, economic and social barriers continue to face people with a disability and senior citizens, which hinder the recognition of their sexual rights. Senior citizens and people with a disability may not have received adequate or any sex education specific to them, are often depicted in the media as asexual or vilified (or their intimate partners without a disability are depicted as having a fetish), and sexual services or aids may remain inaccessible (especially for women), unavailable (in Australia), or unlawful (in states where sex work is prohibited). The Sex Party acknowledges that unexpressed sexuality is often a source of frustration and ‘major concern’ for many people living with a disability (1). We support Australia's ratification of the Disability Convention in 2008 and advocate for the establishment of a federal Human Rights Act as well as other policy, educative and legislative steps to prevent discrimination on the basis of age or disability. We recognise people’s intrinsic right to sexual expression, including the right to develop relationships, have sex, explore and express their sexuality and achieve intimacy without personal or systemic barriers (2).
The Australian Sex Party promotes a national comprehensive sex education curriculum for school children from kindergarten to final year which includes information on sexuality, sexual health, sexual issues and access to sexual services for people with a disability. We also support the development, disbursement and availability of more literature, training programs and information-sharing on such topics between sex workers, carers and adolescents and adults with a disability (including those who may have spent their entire lives in a direct care service, limiting their knowledge). Ensuring people have access to sufficient information about sex and sexuality so they can make informed choices about their sexual lifestyle (including taking risks and maintaining privacy) whilst staying protected from sexual abuse is an integral step in promoting human rights and equality.
Because communication and mobility issues can affect relationships, the Sex Party supports the provision of sexual services to seniors and people with a disability. We recognise that women are often disadvantaged in accessing sexual services, and aim to facilitate networks and links to promote further awareness, education, venues and professionals catering specifically to female clients. We recognise that a number of carers, government workers, seniors and people with a disability are hesitant to contact sex workers because they are unsure of the legal connotations (3) , and we support the legalisation of sex work in all states.
The Sex Party also recognises that many seniors and people with a disability are unable to access adult retail outlets and brothels due to local council planning requirements. We believe that such planning laws needlessly discriminate against seniors and people with a disability, and believe that adult retail outlets and brothels should be allowed to operate on ground floor premises with disabled access and facilities inside the buildings. This would ensure all people can access places for sexual expression and development regardless of their age or ability.
We also look to establish clearer legislation regarding the responsibilities of disability service providers as organisations and individuals, to maintain a balance between what care service providers can and cannot do to assist their clients to maintain a healthy sex life and the sexuality, whilst protecting against sexual abuse and assault. [cont...]
The Sex Party supports the self-determination of seniors and people with disabilities and aims to ensure all people are able to learn about and experience the wonders of their bodies and sexualities.
OTHER STUFF TO LOOK UP:
Australian Quadriplegic Association (AQA), (HREOC) and the South Sydney Council Sex Industry Liaison, Officer (SILO)." http://www.touchingbase.org/docs/legal_impediments_to_sexual_expression.pdf
1. Dr Russell Shuttleworth, University of Sydney, cited in Alison Batcheler, ‘Sex a part of all lives, including disabled’, The West, 2 December 2009, http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/lifestyle/a/-/health/6539869/sex-a-part-of-all-lives-including-disabled/
2. www.touchingbase.org
3. Dr Gareth Merriman, Curtain University, , cited in Alison Batcheler, ‘Sex a part of all lives, including disabled’, The West, 2 December 2009, http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/lifestyle/a/-/health/6539869/sex-a-part-of-all-lives-including-disabled/
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