Citation

Daffern M, Howells K, Stacey J, Hogue T, Mooney P. J. Sex. Aggress. 2008; 14(2): 123-133.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13552600802267080

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Sexually abusive behaviour by personality disordered patients presents a serious threat to the integrity of staff-patient relationships and the safety of other residents. The occurrence of such behaviour is also problematic for the offending patient, as it may impact on perceived treatment needs and their access to the community. This paper reports on a study of sexually abusive behaviour in a high security psychiatric hospital. It also examines the relationship between these behaviours and patients' history of sexual offending. The results showed a high frequency of low-severity sexually abusive behaviour and no significant associations between sexually abusive behaviour during hospitalization and sexual offence history. These findings imply that low-severity sexually abusive behaviour within secure settings may be determined, partly, by environmental conditions. This sexual abuse may also be functionally dissimilar to severe sexual abuse perpetrated in the community. The meaning and determinants of sexual abuse within secure settings must be scrutinized carefully and comprehensively before they are considered analogous to previous sexual offences.

Language: en