Maria was born with a disability: "Didn't think sex was for me"

People with a disability have worse sexual health than the rest of the population, according to a survey made by the project

, which is a collaboration between Funktionsrätt Sweden and RFSU.

A recurring problem among people with a functional variation is desexualization, that is, they are not regarded as sexual beings by those around them.

This in turn leads to many being ashamed of their sexuality, according to

.  

Research also shows that those with a disability are more often exposed to violence than the rest of the population.  

- It happens that relatives try to protect the disabled person from violence by, for example, limiting the number of people they meet.

But it can be a misdirected concern that creates shame.

Many disabled people get the feeling that 'I shouldn't explore my sexuality', says project manager Hanna Öfors.  

To counteract desexualisation,

will start a campaign where they spread positive experiences of sex from people with disabilities.  

- We want to highlight sex from a positive and lustful perspective instead of focusing on what is difficult, says Hanna Öfors.

See Ask the Doctor on SVT Play.