Female perpetrators of child sexual abuse: A review of the clinical and empirical literature

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Abstract

Although women have long been viewed as offenders in cases of physical child abuse, it is only recently that clinicians and researchers have begun to seriously consider the problem of female-perpetrated sexual abuse of children. The purpose of the present paper is to review existing clinical and empirical literature on female sex offenders, in order to develop a summary profile of female perpetrators that may be of value to professionals involved in the assessment and treatment process.

Section snippets

The prevalence of female-perpetrated sexual abuse of children

The true prevalence of female-perpetrated sexual abuse is currently unknown, but analyses of identified or reported cases of victimization consistently suggest that females comprise less than 5% of all sexual offenders against children and youth (e.g., Dubé & Hébert 1988, Thomlison et al. 1991). Data derived from clinical and community samples of abuse victims and from more specialized subject populations (e.g., incarcerated sexual and non-sexual offenders, children molested in daycare settings

The nature of female-perpetrated sexual abuse

Data regarding the nature of females’ sexual offenses against children are relatively sparse, but preliminary findings from a small number of clinical and empirical studies provide some initial information that may assist clinicians in the identification and treatment of women who sexually abuse.

The characteristics and dynamics of female sex offenders

Data regarding the characteristics of female sexual abusers are relatively scarce, but preliminary findings suggest considerable heterogeneity within this population of clients Green & Kaplan 1994, O’Connor 1987, Wakefield & Underwager 1991. Nevertheless, sufficient commonalities appear to exist among the offenders studied to date to permit some tentative conclusions.

A summary profile of female sex offenders

Although female perpetrators of sexual abuse are a rather heterogeneous mix Green & Kaplan 1994, O’Connor 1987, Wakefield & Underwager 1991, it is possible to draw some very general and preliminary conclusions regarding the “typical” female offender based on the previous literature review. Given, however, that the bulk of existing data regarding abusive women is derived from uncontrolled studies and very small samples of perpetrators who have come to professional attention (Wakefield &

Assessment and treatment implications

Although this summary profile is unlikely to fit all female sex offenders, it does highlight some issues and dynamics that appear to be common among women who sexually abuse (e.g., previous victimization, psychiatric problems, a tendency to co-offend with other dominant adults). As such, it suggests several areas that may be important to consider in the assessment and treatment of female offenders. While the precise needs and concerns of each perpetrator are likely to differ from case to case,

Acknowledgements

Preparation of an earlier version of this manuscript was supported by a Medical Research Council of Canada Graduate Studentship to Alana D. Grayston.

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