Autistic woman banned from having sex

London: A judge has prohibited an autistic woman with an IQ of 64 from having sexual intercourse as she lacks the mental capacity to give consent or say no to such actions.

Justice Hedley said that the order was in 29-year-old’s best interests. He said she had to be protected from ‘potentially exploitative and damaging’ relations in the future, as she had already been involved in risky behaviour with people, the Daily Mail reported. The order prevents the woman from having sex and also implies that anyone trying to have sex with her can be charged with sexual assault or rape. “It is strange, but nevertheless true, that even the freedom to make unwise decisions is one that the court is required to guard and only to restrict if and when the best interests of (the woman) so require,” Justice Hedley said. The case was heard at the controversial Court of Protection, which was set up in 2007 to decide on medical treatments for individuals judged by psychiatrists to lack mental capacity. ANI