The context for the current study is the clinical assessment of people with an intellectual disability who have engaged in concerning sexual behaviour. Research aims include examining the assessment tools used internationally in the assessment of concerning sexual behaviour with an intellectual disability population, including examining a locally developed assessment tool, The Explore Sexual Knowledge Examination (ESKE). Particular focus is given to how well these tools assess a person’s understanding of the need to gain consent from a potential sexual partner. The questions considered throughout the thesis are: Does the person with an intellectual disability understand the complexities and pivotal aspects of negotiating consensual sexual interactions; and how is this knowledge assessed by practitioners working in the field of intellectual disability and concerning sexual behaviour?

Chapter Two defines key terms used throughout the current study. A review of research about important factors that have impacted people with intellectual disabilities in the development and understanding of their sexuality will be reported. The review describes international and local tools used to assess concerning sexual behaviour in individuals with intellectual disabilities. Chapter Three describes the methodology, research design and data collection procedures for the current study, involving a survey of practitioners working in the field of intellectual disability and concerning sexual behaviour. Chapter Four presents the study’s results. Interpretation of the findings and limitations, strengths and theoretical relevance of the current study are discussed in Chapter Five.