Gillian Mezey1, Yonette Hassell, Annie Bartlett. 1. St George's, University of London, Department of Mental Health (Forensic), Jenner Wing,Ground Floor, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK. gmezey@sgul.ac.uk
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The development of single-sex medium secure units for women has been driven by concern about the vulnerability of women to sexual abuse and exploitation in mixed-sex secure settings. Less is known about how women patients and staff perceive gender segregation and their experiences in single-sex units. AIMS: To examine the impact of gender segregation on the safety of women patients detained in medium secure psychiatric facilities. METHOD: A qualitative study was conducted involving individual interviews with 58 male and female staff and 31 women patients in single-sex and mixed-sex medium secure units throughout England and Wales. RESULTS: Women patients in both types of units reported high levels of actual and threatened physical and sexual violence. Women in single-sex units reported intimidation, threats and abuse by other women patients, although they were less vulnerable to sexual abuse and exploitation and serious physical assault. CONCLUSIONS: Further development of single-sex secure units for women may not be justified on the grounds of safety issues alone. Risk assessment of forensic psychiatric patients must include a full assessment of their safety within the psychiatric setting.
BACKGROUND: The development of single-sex medium secure units for women has been driven by concern about the vulnerability of women to sexual abuse and exploitation in mixed-sex secure settings. Less is known about how womenpatients and staff perceive gender segregation and their experiences in single-sex units. AIMS: To examine the impact of gender segregation on the safety of womenpatients detained in medium secure psychiatric facilities. METHOD: A qualitative study was conducted involving individual interviews with 58 male and female staff and 31 womenpatients in single-sex and mixed-sex medium secure units throughout England and Wales. RESULTS:Womenpatients in both types of units reported high levels of actual and threatened physical and sexual violence. Women in single-sex units reported intimidation, threats and abuse by other womenpatients, although they were less vulnerable to sexual abuse and exploitation and serious physical assault. CONCLUSIONS: Further development of single-sex secure units for women may not be justified on the grounds of safety issues alone. Risk assessment of forensic psychiatricpatients must include a full assessment of their safety within the psychiatric setting.
Authors: Elizabeth Kathleen Morton; Sarah K McKenzie; Amy Cooper; Susanna Every-Palmer; Gabrielle Lisa Simone Jenkin Journal: Front Psychiatry Date: 2022-09-23 Impact factor: 5.435