5th ISA Forum of Sociology (6-11 July 2025)

Violence and victimization are critically important in the context of mental health and illness. Research findings indicate that users of mental health services face significantly heightened risks of violence across various settings, including domestic, public, and institutional context, spanning the entire lifespan from childhood through adulthood. Experiences of violence, whether physical, sexual, or emotional, play a significant role in the development and perpetuation of mental disorders, and for recovery processes.

Violent incidents within mental health facilities are a persistent concern for both users and professionals alike. This includes situations related to coercive treatments, violence against staff, and violence acts between service users. While the use of coercive treatments in psychiatric practice is increasingly debated, there is a pressing need for strategies to reduce violence within psychiatric services, especially as forensic hospital admissions rise.

To develop effective prevention strategies, a better understanding of the individual and contextual factors influencing violence in the context of mental health is imperative.

This session welcomes submissions focusing on various aspects of violence within the context of mental health and illness. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Experiences of physical, sexual, or emotional violence across different life stages, from childhood to adulthood, and mental health
• Issues related to coercive treatments and violence prevention strategies within psychiatric settings.
• Violent behavior within mental health facilities and interventions and programs aimed at reducing violence and supporting mentla health service users