Learning disabilities and serious crime - sex offences

Authors:
READ Fiona, READ Elspeth
Journal article citation:
Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Research and Practice, 6(1), April 2009, pp.37-51.
Publisher:
South West Yorkshire Mental Health NHS Trust and University of Huddersfield

This review paper follows on from two previous reviews of the literature with regard to, firstly, learning disability and murder and, secondly, learning disability and arson. This paper, in turn, examines the relationship, if any, between learning disability and sexual offence. The approach taken in all these papers involves the concept of Disruptive Behaviour Disorder as being the group of behaviour and personality disorders most involved in the aetiology of these criminal and anti-social behaviours. Disruptive behaviour disorders comprise: Oppositional Defiant Disorder Conduct Disorder; Anti-social Personality Disorder; Intermittent Explosive Disorder. The common characteristics of these disorders comprise aggression, irritability, over-activity, high arousal, and repetitive behaviour.

Subject terms:
learning disabilities, personality disorders, sexual offences, conduct disorders;
Link:
Journal home page

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