Mental health and sexual assaults - BBC News

- 08 January 2006;BBC News

BBC Radio 4's Law in Action will be broadcast on Tuesday, 1 August, 2006 at 1600 BST.

There is to be an urgent review of the safety of mental health patients after a report that detailed alleged rapes and sexual assaults in psychiatric wards.

Sexual assault cases are difficult to prosecute at the best of times. It is often one person's word against another. But how much more difficult is it when the victim has a mental disorder?

Clive talks to a number of legal experts and a practitioner in the field to find out what the law does to protect mental health patients.

Clive talks to a number of legal experts and a practitioner in the field to find out what the law does to protect mental health patients.

Interviewees:

'Anna' - Victim of sexual assault whilst in mental health care
Sarah Harman - The solicitor who represented her
Benjamin Conroy - Solicitor specialising in mental health law

In the studio:

Lucy Scott Moncrieff - Solicitor specialising in mental health law
Dr Ian Hall - Consultant Psychiatrist