Making decisions about sexual rights in psychiatric facilities

Making decisions about sexual activity between residents living in psychiatric facilities is a complex issue. The objectives of this study were to determine staff perception of sexual activity within psychiatric facilities and the prevalence of facilities with sexual policies and sexual education programs in place for residents and staff. Questionnaires were mailed to psychiatric facilities nation-wide. Fifty-seven (60%) facilities had a sexual policy in place. Seventy (69%) of the facilities had sex education programs for staff, and 84 (83%) had sex education programs for residents.