Leaving the past behind: exploring the adverse childhood experiences of males detained to a secure specialist deaf inpatient mental health service

Abstract

Deaf people, and those who engage in criminal offending have independently been identified as groups at risk for childhood trauma, though consideration of their intersectional impact is limited. The adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) of 26 males detained to a deaf secure mental health service were explored. Overall, 92.3% of participants had experienced an ACE. Most participants had experienced multiple adversities (Median = 6), with 73.1% exposed to four or more, and 57.7% exposed to six or more. Most participants (76.9%) had experienced both child maltreatment and household adversity. The most prevalent ACEs were emotional neglect and parental separation (76.9%). Participants who had been subject to a care order reported more child maltreatment ACEs (p = .02). Given the pervasive ACE histories of deaf people in secure mental health services, the integration of trauma-informed practices within an environment that is sensitive and responsive to the complex trauma needs of this population is of paramount importance.