Étude des vécus de violences à l’encontre des femmes criminelles

Abstract

BackgroundWomen constitute around 17% of criminal offenders. However, few studies have addressed criminality in females. The current study aims to determine the prevalence of violence inflicted upon a sample of 91 female criminals during their adult life and compare it to the general female population, in order to provide a better understanding of female crime. MaterialData was collected, between 2014 and 2019, from the criminal expertise files of an expert at the Rennes Court of Appeal for women aged over 15. History of violence experienced as defined by the WHO criteria, where included. ResultsNinety-one criminal expertise files were included. The prevalence of violence experienced during adulthood was 57.1%, a prevalence significantly higher than that of the general European and international female population. Furthermore, these women reported experiences of violence independently of their age in 76.1% of cases. ConclusionOur study highlights an important prevalence of experiences of violence in the life course of criminal women. This victimization appears to be closely related to criminality in women and seems to be a key point in understanding female criminality. In addition, psychiatric disorders are frequent in this population and are over-represented by substance use and personality disorders. The latter two disorders appear to be conditioned by a history of experienced violence, seem associated with crime and to increase the risk of committing a violent act. Therefore, experiences of violence seem to be a predisposing factor to the development of medico-legal issues.