title: Policies on sexual expression in forensic psychiatric settings in different European countries.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sexual expression by forensic psychiatric patients is poorly researched.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forensic experts representing 14 European countries were interviewed to explore the diverse ways in which sexual expression within forensic settings is handled.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No country had a national policy, although many had local policies or shared practices. Progressive approaches to patient sexuality were evident in nine of the countries sampled. The UK appeared the most prohibiting and excluding, its protocols apparently based on risk aversion and lack of emphasis or consideration of patients' sexual needs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Uniform national policy supporting patients' sexual expression would provide significant improvements.
authors: School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD UK.
authors: Rajveer
authors: R
authors: Tiwana
authors: School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG9 2RD UK.
authors: Stephanie
authors: S
authors: McDonald
authors: Section Forensic Mental Health, Division of Psychiatry and Applied Psychology, Institute of Mental Health, University of Nottingham, Triumph Rd, Nottingham, NG7 2TU UK.
authors: Birgit
authors: B
authors: Völlm
keywords: European policies; Forensic psychiatric hospitals; Human rights; Long-stay patients; Mental health; Patient relationships; Sexual expression