At risk, yet dismissed: the criminal victimisation of people with mental health problems

Abstract

This mixed methods study investigated the experiences of victimisation among people with mental health problems living mainly in London. A modified version of the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) was conducted with a random sample of 361 people with severe mental illness (SMI) using community mental health services in London to measure the prevalence of crime experienced by this group, associated risk factors and levels of engagement with the criminal justice system (CJS). The findings of this sample were compared with those from the general population who took part in the CSEW survey over the same time period in London. \n \nIn addition semi-structured interviews were conducted with 81 individuals who had mental health problems and had been victims of crime in the last three years exploring their experiences of reporting crime, the criminal justice system, accessing support and the impacts of victimisation. Focus groups were also conducted with 30 relevant professionals from a range of different backgrounds including the police and mental health care coordinators. \n \nThe survey found that people with mental health problems experienced higher rates of crime, were considerably more likely to be victims of crime than the general population and were more adversely affected by crime. They were three times more likely to be a victim of any crime and five times more likely to be a victim of assault. Women with mental health problems were particularly vulnerable being ten times more likely to be assaulted.Three key risk factors were identified: less engagement with services, drug misuse and a history of being violent. \n \nParticipants who took part in the interviews described going to a range of agencies for help after crime including the police, mental health, health and social care services, and received both good and poor responses. Many described being blamed, disbelieved, discredited or ignored because of their mental health problems; being treated without empathy; and lack of appropriate action. This substantially worsened the negative impacts of the crime and prevented them from attaining the help they needed. Conversely, good responses included: being treated with empathy; being listened to and validated and having appropriate actions taken to investigate or resolve situations. The focus groups with professionals supported these findings and also raised some of the challenges they face in supporting victims of crime with mental health problems. \n \nThe implications of the study findings are discussed in the report and a series of policy and practice recommendations are outlined.

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