The Role of Reproductive Mental Health in Female Offenders: A Mitigating Factor in Criminal Behavior
Tracks
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| Saturday, November 2, 2024 |
| 10:50 AM - 11:50 AM |
| Redbird CD |
Overview
Dr. Brooke Laufer
Details
This presentation explores the intersection between women’s reproductive mental health and criminal behavior, examining how hormonal, psychological, and reproductive health factors can influence female offenders’ actions. It focuses on key mental health conditions associated with reproductive phases such as postpartum depression, postpartum psychosis, perinatal trauma, and intimate partner violence which may impact judgment, impulse control, and behavior in criminal contexts.
The presentation will review:
● Psychological Effects of Reproductive Phases: How conditions like postpartum psychosis or hormonal imbalances during pregnancy, menstruation, or menopause may contribute to altered states of mind in female offenders.
● Case Studies: Real-world examples where reproductive mental health played a significant role in the defense or mitigation of criminal behavior.
● Forensic Evaluation: Approaches to identifying, assessing and addressing reproductive mental health issues in female offenders.
This presentation highlights the need for integrating reproductive mental health into forensic assessments and the criminal justice system to provide a more holistic understanding of female criminal behavior and offer pathways to more compassionate and effective legal outcomes.
Speaker
Dr. Brooke Laufer
The Role of Reproductive Mental Health in Female Offenders: A Mitigating Factor in Criminal Behavior
Biography
Brooke Laufer is a Clinical Psychologist in Evanston who has a group practice and also trains and supervises new therapists. She specializes in the evaluation and treatment of perinatal mental illness. Her focus is on postpartum psychosis and its interaction with criminal behavior. Dr. Laufer runs groups for survivors of postpartum psychosis, does research, writes articles, and speaks on this topic. She also serves as an expert witness in cases of child abuse, neonaticide, infanticide and battered women syndrome. Her book, Uncovering the Act of Maternal Infanticide from a Psychological, Political, and Jungian Perspective, was published by Routledge in 2024. For more information, visit www.drbrookelaufer.com
