‘You May Kiss the Bride, But You May Not Open Your Mouth When You Do So’: Policies Concerning Sex, Marriage and Relationships in English Forensic Psychiatric Facilities

Βartlett, Peter; Mantovani, Nadia; Cratsley, Kelso; Dillon, Claire; Eastman, Nigel

doi:10.1007/s10991-010-9078-5

Cited by 24 publications

(60 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…It might be an outcome of risk aversion, characteristic of forensic hospital settings, where consumers tend to be viewed in terms of their level of dangerousness (Perlin 2008). These beliefs provide justification for following rules and practices that actively seek to prevent sexual relationships occurring on the basis of risk and protection of those who are vulnerable (Perlin 2008), and potentially incapable of consenting (Bartlett et al 2010;Dixon-Mueller et al 2009). While legal and ethical issues are important considerations, the current approach prevents holistic, individualized (Pacitti & Thornicroft 2009) support that is recovery orientated and person centred (Slade et al 2014).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sexual issues are always controversial (Magnan et al 2005), particularly within mental health services (Perry & Wright 2006;Quinn et al 2011), and more so in forensic settings (Bartlett et al 2010;Dein & Williams 2008;Hales et al 2006).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, most consumers in a forensic hospital will eventually be discharged to the community (Ong et al 2009). The ability to engage in relationships is important preparation for their future life (Bartlett et al 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sexual relationships might, therefore, be considered a greater concern in forensic hospitals, where consumers pose unique risks and sexual safety concerns associated with their offending behaviours (Mercer 2013). Limited evidence from these environments suggests a lack of support from nurses for consumers forming sexual relationships (Bartlett et al 2010;Tennille & Wright 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Consumer sexual relationships in a Forensic mental health hospital: Perceptions of nurses and consumers

Quinn

Happell

2014

Int J Mental Health Nurs

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The management of consumer-related risk is paramount in a secure forensic mental health facility. However, the consequent risk aversion presents a major barrier to consumers forming sexual relationships in a manner that is open and accepted. Investigation of the views of nurses working in forensic mental health settings on this topic is limited, and even more so for consumers of services. This qualitative exploratory study was undertaken to elicit the views of consumers and nurses about forming sexual relationships within this long-term and secure setting. Individual in-depth interviews were conducted with 12 nurses and 10 consumers. The benefits of, and barriers to, sexual relationships was identified as a major theme, and these findings are the focus of this paper. Nurse responses included the subthemes 'supportive factors' and 'potential dangers', reflecting their qualified support. Consumer responses included the subthemes 'therapeutic', 'feeling normal', 'restrictions and barriers', and 'lack of support and secrecy'. The importance of sexual relationships was clearly articulated, as was the difficulties in forming and maintaining them within the forensic setting. More open discussion about this commonly-avoided issue and the education of nurses and other health professionals is required.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Consumer sexual relationships in a Forensic mental health hospital: Perceptions of nurses and consumers

Quinn

Happell

2014

Int J Mental Health Nurs

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“…The sexual behaviour of acute psychiatric inpatients has largely been ignored both by hospital policies and by the academic literature (Bartlett et al . ). This exclusion has arisen out of an historical social climate where sexual activity is a taboo subject (Krumm et al .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Sexual behaviours on acute inpatient psychiatric units

Bowers

Ross

Cutting

et al. 2013

Psychiatric Ment Health Nurs

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The purpose of the study was to assess the types and frequency of sexual behaviours displayed by patients during the first 2 weeks of admission to acute psychiatric units and what relationship these have to other challenging patient behaviours. The method used was a survey of sexual behaviours, conflict and containment events carried out by 522 patients during the first 2 weeks of admission in 84 wards in 31 hospitals in the South East of England. Incidents of sexual behaviour were common, with 13% of patients responsible for at least one incident. Although exposure was the most frequent of these behaviours, non-consensual sexual touching, was instigated by 1 in 20 patients. There were no differences in the numbers of sexual events between single sex and mixed gender wards. Few associations were found with the demographic features of perpetrators, although all those engaging in public masturbation were male, and male patients were more likely to sexually touch another without their consent. Single sex wards do not seem to necessarily offer significant protection to potentially vulnerable victims. Perpetrators do not seem to be predictable in advance, nor was there any common set or pattern of disruptive behavioural events indicating that a sexual incident was about to occur.

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“You Don’t Even Get a Hug”: Sexuality and Relational Security in Secure Mental Healthcare

Ravenhill,

Reavey,

Brown

et al. 2023

Relationships and Mental Health

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‘You May Kiss the Bride, But You May Not Open Your Mouth When You Do So’: Policies Concerning Sex, Marriage and Relationships in English Forensic Psychiatric Facilities

Cited by 24 publications

References 11 publications

Consumer sexual relationships in a Forensic mental health hospital: Perceptions of nurses and consumers

Consumer sexual relationships in a Forensic mental health hospital: Perceptions of nurses and consumers

Sexual behaviours on acute inpatient psychiatric units

“You Don’t Even Get a Hug”: Sexuality and Relational Security in Secure Mental Healthcare

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