Voices Unheard

With the inclusion of in-depth case studies of women who experienced and survived sexual violence whilst detained in psychiatric hospitals, this book provides a candid and sometimes disturbing picture of the reality and prevalence of sexual violence in institutions.

Mental Health inpatient services are designed to support and protect some of the most vulnerable women in society, yet sexual violence statistics are rising and reported incidents are critically under- investigated.

Adopting an ethnographic methodology, the author immersed herself in the experiences of the participants; this approach allows their narratives to take the spotlight in this book.
These personal accounts are juxtaposed with critical analysis of law, policy and current knowledge of this historic and modern day problem.
Sexual violence has existed since the Victorian asylums. It became prevalent in the post war era when mixed gender wards were introduced. It is widespread in the modern mental health system, where staff shortages and funding cuts expose patients to serious risk from sexual violence.

The book concludes with an exploration of why sexual violence in mental health settings remains so prevalent, so difficult to manage and, in turn, what measures are needed to protect service users and deter perpetrators.