Abstract
Objective:
The aim of this study is to evaluate the reasons for referral, the socio-demographic characteristics and psychiatric diagnosis of children and adolescents admitting for forensic evaluation to child and adolescent psychiatry department in a state hospital.
Method:
Data was gathered retrospectively for socio-demographic characteristics including age, sex, level of education, number of siblings, IQ score and types of crime charged for. Psychiatric diagnoses based on DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria for sexually abused children were also evaluated.
Results:
234 (84,5%) of 277 cases were referred for criminal liability evaluation. Remaining 43 (%15,5) cases were referred for psychiatric status examination after sexual abuse. Types of crime being charged for were 50% theft, 35,5% malicious injury, 5,1% threat/ insult, 3,8% property damage, 3,8% sexual abuse, 1,3% possession of drugs and 0,4% identity theft. 81,4% of children and adolescents with sexual abuse had at least one psychiatric diagnosis due to sexual trauma.
Discussion:
Delinquent children and adolescents should be evaluated for necessary interventions and driving factors such as family-peer and social environment. Sexual abuse, being an important public health problem and a risk factor for psychiatric disorders, should be reported and treatment and rehabilitation of these cases should be prioritized.
Keywords: Child, crime, forensic report, sexual abuse.
