Adverse childhood experiences in a london-based forensic CAMHS population

Abstract

Youth crime is a serious political and social issue, impacting significantly on the young person’s identity, and their community and societal integration and development (Rutter, 2010). Recently, London has experienced some of the highest recorded rates of crimes committed by youth resulting in many custodial settings being at full capacity. Significant attention has been attributed to formulating why some young people become involved in criminal behaviour and many recognise the role of early adversity, which may act as a vulnerability or precipitating factor for some. The association between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and youth crime has been researched in many countries and helps to formulate why some young people may engage in crime. This paper investigates the ACEs in a sample of 164 London-based youth who were referred to Forensic Child and Mental Health Service (FCAMHS), by local services. Results indicated that all young people referred had experienced at least one ACE. Those presenting with eight or more ACEs were referred for engaging in serious community violence. While this does not predict or show causation, it is helpful in considering the level of vulnerability and adversity in this cohort of young people. These findings have important implications in the assessment and management of these young people, who may be seen as both victims of adversity and perpetrators of possible crime. Further, these findings can help promote a balanced way of thinking about the whole young person, not just the part that may have committed a crime.