The treatment of children in secure accommodation: A psychological perspective

Posted On: 24 April 2009

Download full article: The treatment of children in secure accommodation: A psychological perspective [pdf-562kB]

What have we done to Margaret?

The treatment of children in secure accommodation: A pschological perspective by Dr Josie Williams of Glasgow Caledonian University

Margaret's life before secure

.....'she chose him instead of me'.....

Exposure to dangerous and unpredicatable environment

• Parental drug and alcohol abuse
• Low monitoring - exposure to potentially dangerous adults
• Possible sexual abuse (N.B. 60% of girls in CJS identified as having previous experiences of abuse: Montgomery, 2000)
• Low levels of support/neglect - interpreted as complicit betrayal
• Separation from sibling
• Multiple placements
• Revictimisation

(Continued.  Please click on link at the top of the page to view full presentation.)