Correlates of criminal victimisation among police cell detainees in Victoria, Australia

Abstract

People with mental illness are more likely to be crime victims than others; however, little is known about the relationship between offending and victimisation among mentally ill offenders. This study investigated the rates and types of victimisation among people detained in police cells (N = 764), with and without histories of mental illness. Those with mental disorders were 1.56 times (95% CI = 1.11–2.17) more likely to be victims of violent crimes than other detainees. Some subgroups of people with mental disorders were not over-represented as victims, raising the possibility that they were less inclined to report certain types of crimes. Implications are discussed with reference to police practice.

Keywords:

• mental disorder
• victimisation
• police cells

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by a grant from the Australian Research Council; a collaboration between Monash University, Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health and Victoria Police. The research team comprised James Ogloff, Stuart Thomas, Paul Mullen, Trish Martin, Jonathan Clough, Christine Tye, Ashley Dickinson and Ken Lay. We also acknowledge the project managers Stefan Luebbers and Lisa Warren, and the input of Leanne Sargent, David Bradley and David Ballek at Victoria Police. We thank the participants for giving us their time in a difficult circumstance.