Greg Wallace's autism excuse for sexually inappropriate behaviour

This isn't the first time that some here have reacted strongly in objecting to the idea that autism might be the cause of certain behaviours, in others, that they find repulsive, or that they object to and/or disagree with - or that they otherwise have no wish to be associated with (however indirectly) by virtue of sharing an autism diagnosis with those people.

In respect of cases like this one, I don't agree with rejecting autism as a potential explanation. Nor do I agree that he is necessarily using his autism inappropriately, as an excuse.

I do believe that there are potentially valid grounds for autism being behind any proven, negative behaviour. However, I also don't believe that we're in any position to make any judgements or reach any conclusions. 

By way of explanation, I'll share these snippets from some related research:

"Research suggests that autistic individuals may be overrepresented among those who engage in sexually inappropriate behaviors. Several studies have indicated that autistic people may exhibit various offending behaviors, including sexual offending behaviors, which are associated with traits of autism. Traits of ASD that may contribute to the vulnerability of exhibiting sexual offending behaviors include an impaired theory of mind, repetitive and stereotyped behavioral patterns, and persistent preoccupation with sexual themes"

From: A systematic review of sexual health, knowledge, and behavior in Autism Spectrum Disorder (April 2025)

"There is evidence that SOs [sexual offences] are the most frequent type of offense by people with ASD"

From: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and sexual offending: A systematic review

"Mogavero and Mogavero (2016) identified a variety of studies suggesting that, rather than being due to any malice, a large portion of the deviant or sexual offending behaviour which is carried out by individuals with ASD is very often explained by their ASD symptoms."

From: University of Gothenburg - Sexual Offending Behaviours: Urgent Need for ‘Autism Sensitive Risk Assessment Guide’

"That the deficits in social understanding typical of autism can be just as severe for those who are also highly intelligent may be evidenced in a number of ways: the consensus of the scientific community expressed in the DSM, clinical experience, the personal experience of “high functioning” autistic persons, and survey data."

From: Autism Society - Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association > Defending Autistic People: Sex Offenses

Bunny said:

In respect of cases like this one, I don't agree with rejecting autism as a potential explanation. Nor do I agree that he is necessarily using his autism inappropriately, as an excuse.

I agree with Bunny here - there is a lot of backlash on what can be a legitimate autistic trait here. We of all people should be willing to offer the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise otherwise we stand to have many other traits dismissed if they are seen as socially inconvenient.

My gut feel is that Gregg is a scumbag and that he is making an excuse, but is this because this is what society has conditioned me to think? Has the me too / femanism / cancel culture approach made me hyperfocus on the fact that because he is white, successful and has a mental condition that he must be guilty?

I say we let the courts do their thing and allow due process to take place before we cast the first stone.

Would Wallace have got as far in his career as he has if he has such high autistc needs that he feels exposing himself and being sexually inappropriate is OK and if his needs are so high, then why has it only become apparent now?

I don't believe that feminism, cancel culture or Me Too, or his being a white male has anything to do with why he's been publically called out and sacked. When has exposing oneself, groping and sexually explicit comments ever been OK? Some men might have got away with it in the past and some probably still do, but now women fineally have the rights and legal protection to stop this I say again when has t ever been appropriate?

When I was about 17 I had some drunk bloke come up and walk behind me holding my buttock, this was at around 2:30pm on a main road, his mates were laughing and cat calling and they continued to do so when I punched him on the nose and made it bleed. I've also been in professional situation as well as private ones where I've been groped, had unpleasant sexual commentary and been shown body parts I really didn't want to see.

Men like that have no excuse, autistic or not, funny how Wallace only did this with women he was alone with, if he's really so disinhibited why wasn't he doing it public?

He's still claiming that he's the subject of some kind of witch hunt by the BBC, last night Newsnights Victoria Derbyshire asked him publically, if he was watching to come on the programe tonight for a right of reply, somehow I don't think he will although if he did it would be interesting.

TheCatWoman said:

It always seems to be bullies who when called out and challenged claim that it's all a witch hunt

I find this ironic as the very term stems from the persecution of innocent women. Now is seems to be used mostly by guilty males from how you describe it.

I wonder when the change in use happened. I thought it was from before Trump.

TheCatWoman said:

It always seems to be bullies who when called out and challenged claim that it's all a witch hunt

I find this ironic as the very term stems from the persecution of innocent women. Now is seems to be used mostly by guilty males from how you describe it.

I wonder when the change in use happened. I thought it was from before Trump.