Adverse Childhood Experiences and Treatability in Dutch Patients with Cluster B Personality Disorders Mandated to Forensic Clinical Care: A Comparison of Men Convicted for Sexual and Violent Offenses

Abstract

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been consistently linked to interpersonal violence and are highly prevalent in correctional populations, particularly in men who perpetrate (sexual) violent behavior. Although exposure to ACEs is common in men who perpetrate interpersonal violence, less is known about the differences between men who commit sexual versus non-sexual violence. This cross-sectional study reports on the differences in prevalence of adverse childhood experiences in Dutch men who committed sexual offenses (N = 29) versus those who committed (non-sexual) violent offenses (N = 29), all who have been mandated to forensic clinical care. Drawing on data from a RCT-study among male forensic psychiatric inpatients with cluster B personality disorders from seven forensic hospitals in the Netherlands, the study explored potential differences in ACEs, and its relationship to treatability in the first year of forensic treatment. No significant differences were found in prevalence of childhood abuse and neglect among men convicted for sexual offenses versus those convicted for violent offenses. In our study, ACEs were not predictive of risk relating to treatability at the start of forensic treatment. Our findings suggest that taking into account trauma histories is of equal importance for both offending groups. Implications regarding trauma-informed forensic care are discussed.