NCJ Number
108703
Journal
Medicine and Law Volume: 5 Issue: 4 Dated: (1986) Pages: 339-348
Date Published
1986
Length
49 pages
Annotation
Female deviance has always elicited a different response than the equivalent behavior in men. This study is concerned with the nature of that response and with the process of court psychiatric referrals as related to women.
Abstract
Relevant data were retrieved by means of a predesigned questionnaire from the files of a sample of female accused who were referred to the forensic unit of Valkenberg hospital, Cape Town, South Africa. Analysis showed that the majority of women referred were not considered mentally ill in terms of the relevant act. One of the main questions than arising concerned the reason for their initial referral to the hospital. Other factors highlighted in the findings related to various differences between the two racial groups examined and pointed to certain ambiguities in the legal process of referral. 2 tables and 20 notes. (Author abstract modified)