Citation

Adshead G, Howett M, Mason F. J. Sex. Aggress. 1994; 1(1): 45-56.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13552609408413241

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Women who sexually abuse children are rare. Nonetheless, between 50 and 100 women each year are convicted of sexual offences against children in England and Wales. Like their male counterparts, such offenders require supervision and assistance not to reoffend during any court-imposed period of supervision, probation or detention, and thereafter. The comparative rarity of female offending results in a lack of knowledge about such offenders, and the imposition of male models of offending, which may be inappropriate. This paper offers a review of what is known about female sex offenders, and describes three case histories as examples. Models of sexual offending by males will be described, and a comparison made with female sexual offending. Suggestions for further research conclude the paper.