Victims of mentally disordered offenders in Zimbabwe, 1980-1990

The aim of this study is to describe the victims of mentally disordered patients in Zimbabwe. The nature and degree of their crimes were such that the offending patients received a special verdict and were detained at a special hospital. This study provides descriptive data as regards victims' age, gender, and relationship to the patient. It also describes the crimes committed, the methods used, and patients' diagnoses. There were more male than female offenders and most offenders had one victim. The majority of victims were female and were related to the patient. More than 75% of the patients were suffering from major mental illness, but 14.3% were confused due to physical illness which resulted in them becoming mentally disturbed, and as a result they received a special verdict. There were no recorded sexual offences by females.