Similar findings were reported in study at the University of Southern California. It found that adults suffering from schizophrenia are 14 times more likely to be victims of a violent crime than to be arrested for one.
More than one-third of individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were victims of crime
Neither set of researchers offered conclusive explanations for the disproportionate victimization of the mentally ill. Living in unsafe neighborhoods may make them easy targets, and symptoms such as paranoia might provoke violence in others or prevent victims from avoiding dangerous situations.