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Original Research
The psycho-social and clinical profile of women referred for psycho-legal evaluation to forensic mental health units in South Africa
Submitted: 26 April 2018 | Published: 21 February 2019
About the author(s)
Mohammed Nagdee, Fort England Hospital, South Africa; and, Department of Psychiatry, Walter Sisulu University, South Africa; and, Department of Psychology, Rhodes University, South AfricaLillian Artz, Gender, Health and Justice Research Unit, University of Cape Town, South Africa
Carmen Corral-Bulnes, Gender, Health and Justice Research Unit, University of Cape Town, South Africa
Aisling Heath, Gender, Health and Justice Research Unit, University of Cape Town, South Africa
Ugasvaree Subramaney, Sterkfontein Hospital, South Africa; and, Department of Psychiatry, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
Helena G. de Clercq, Valkenberg Hospital, South Afica; and, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cape Town, South Africa
Helmut Erlacher, Fort England Hospital, South Africa; and, Department of Psychiatry, Walter Sisulu University, South Africa
Carla Kotze, Weskoppies Hospital, South Africa; and, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pretoria, South Africa
Gian Lippi, Weskoppies Hospital, South Africa; and, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pretoria, South Africa
Samantha Naidoo, Sterkfontein Hospital, South Africa; and, Department of Psychiatry, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
Funeka Sokudela, Weskoppies Hospital, South Africa; and, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pretoria, South Africa
Abstract
Background: There is a paucity of research on women offenders in the South African context, particularly those referred for forensic psychiatric observation. Little is known about their life histories, the nature of their offences or the psycho-social contexts that enable, or are antecedents to, women’s criminal offending.
Aims: This research study, the largest of its kind in South Africa, examined the psycho-social contexts within which women offenders referred for psychiatric evaluation come to commit offences. The profiles of both offenders and victims, as well as reasons for referral and forensic mental health outcomes, were investigated.
Methods: A retrospective record review of 573 cases, spanning a 12-year review period, from six different forensic psychiatric units in South Africa, was conducted.
Results: The findings describe a population of women offenders who come from backgrounds of socio-demographic and socio-economic adversity, with relatively high pre-offence incidences of being victims of abuse themselves, with significant levels of mental ill-health and alcohol abuse permeating their life histories. The majority of index offences which led to court-ordered forensic evaluations were for violent offences against the person, with murder being the single most common index offence in the sample. Most victims of violence were known to the accused. There were also relatively high rates of psychotic and mood-spectrum disorders present, with relatively low rates of personality disorders. The majority of women were deemed to be trial competent and criminally responsible in relation to their index offences.
Conclusion: It is recommended that more standardised and gender-sensitive forensic mental health assessment approaches, documentation and reporting be employed throughout the country. Future research should compare male and female offending patterns and forensic mental health profiles.
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Crossref Citations
1. What Makes Forensic Psychiatric Experts Change Their Opinion in Supplemental Evaluations?
Ante Periša, Goran Arbanas
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology vol: 67 issue: 1 first page: 3 year: 2023
doi: 10.1177/0306624X221086548