Mentally disabled women try to hide pregnancies

WOMEN with intellectual disabilities often experience negative attitudes from those close to them, as well as from service providers, when they become pregnant and may even try to keep their pregnancy secret, according to a report.

The report looked at research on challenges faced by people with intellectual disabilities in relation to crisis pregnancies.

Current Irish legislation criminalises specific sexual acts, including intercourse, among people who are “mentally impaired” unless they are married to each other.