This section is concerned with the highly important subject of the interaction of violence with society as a whole. If we can improve the outcomes of children involved in violence, have good ways of linking programmes of treatment with societal understanding and can overcome the pain and anger of victims who have been exposed to violence, we will have moved a long way.

The evidence that those with mental illness are much more likely to be victims of violence than its perpetrators is repeated several times in this book, and we make no apology for this; it needs to be repeated over and over again until society understands.

Professionals working in health, social care and the justice system require a robust understanding of when to share confidential information; the information-sharing chapter (Chapter 18) has been expanded from the first edition and provides information on legislation and guidance to be considered when sharing information about patients and information sharing by organisations supporting victims of crimes committed by mentally disordered offenders. The chapter includes discussion of the new Victims’ Code and of liaison with victims.