Criminal victimisation

How is criminal victimisation related to bipolar disorder?

Criminal victimisation refers to a person being the victim of a violent crime (rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated or simple assault) or a property crime (burglary and theft). People with a severe mental illness may be at higher risk of criminal victimisation. This may be a result of possible cognitive impairment (e.g. poor reality testing, judgment, social skills, planning, and problem solving), and sometimes compromised social situations (e.g. poverty, unemployment, homelessness, and social isolation).

What is the evidence for criminal victimisation?

Moderate to high quality evidence suggests large increased odds of physical partner violence in both men and women with bipolar disorder compared to the general population.

There were no other reviews that met inclusion criteria on other forms of criminal victimisation.

November 2021

Image: ©Rex Wholster – stock.adobe.com

Last updated at: 3:18 pm, 31st October 2021
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