Many young autistic people I know have little sense about sexual boundaries and end up in situations that I think most others would view as harmful.
Completely caught out by the queering project and normalising of fetish and kink. Its origins are from older men, but increasing numbers of young people are being influenced. I’m aware of one university that has a ‘Fetish Society’ as part of the student union offerings. Had to be formally approved.
I wonder if so many young autistic adults are getting caught up due to low self esteem, seeking external validation, exposed to a highly pornified culture IRL and online, being poor at reading intentions, susceptible to fixed beliefs once exposed to them, and just a weak sense of acceptable social norms. Many also switch back and forth between male and female partners, but without it being actual physical attraction. A disconnect between mine and body.
Sexual acts or even sexual transgression is not felt as transgression if there is an absence of an internal compass about ‘normal’ vs harmful. I thought this again when reading Fern Brady’s memoir Strong Female Character where she describes getting involved in exploitive sexual situations as a teenager.
Please note I’m not trying to excuse Amelia Connelly’s behaviour at all, but trying to make sense of how it is that some young autistic people are first so caught up in gender ideology and second, are then found guilty of a sexual fetish. The latter seems to involve mostly (all?) men and boys exploiting but very likely many unknown are being exploited.