The F.A.C.T.S. project in December 2024 organized a multiplier event in the French town of Savigny-le-Temple. The event was held in the context of a larger gathering of specialists working on sexuality and mental health.
The daylong event featured a mix of professionals from fields ranging from sexology to psychiatry, midwifery and law.
Hervé Gonse, a legal expert, kicked off the multiplier event by giving a comprehensive overview of the legal framework for sexuality in France. He highlighted that there are no legal texts related to relationships between minors, and no legal texts specific to people with disabilities. Consequently, questions remain on the legal responsibilities of institutions when problems arise in this context.
Next was a panel made up of Michael Chauvin, Hervé Gonse, Nadia Flicourt, Ianis McCluskey, Mohamed El Euchi, Véronique Simonnot, and Michael Bonniere. They discussed the notion of consent, which might be difficult to learn for people with disabilities whose consent is not asked before they are examined medically, e.g. The panel also examined the taboo around sexuality in the disability and psychiatry sectors. They suggested that more training should be available for professionals, especially for mid- and late-career professionals whose initial training included no modules on sexuality and disability.
This proved to be an excellent introduction to the F.A.C.T.S project presentation. Louise Gourgeon, from project partner Centre de la Gabrielle, presented and contextualised the state of play of the F.A.C.T.S. project and discussed the pressing need to train administrative staff and service providers on the topic of gender and sexual diversity and autism. She also spoke about the correlation between gender/sexual diversity and autism.
In line with this, graphic designer François-Xavier Gaab introduced the audience to a serious game developed by Adapei Les Papillons Blancs d’Alsace in collaboration with workers from a sheltered workshop. Its purpose is to educate on the topic of sexuality and sexual health. The game is available for free online (in French).
To start off the afternoon activities, Nadia Flicourt presented a short film, “Mon Amoureux” by Daniel Metge, which centres on the romantic relationship between two characters with intellectual disabilities. The film triggered a debate on several practical questions linked to equal access to sexuality.
Workshops on topics such as sexual violence, self-esteem and body image, and parenthood were available to participants throughout the day. Books and games on the topic of sexuality and disability were also for sale, and a network of midwives and gynaecologists who work with women with disabilities were available at a booth all day. The group trains women on the topic of sexuality and performs standard consultations.
The next multiplier event by the F.A.C.T.S. project will be organized in Cyprus.
