NCJ Number
168276
Date Published
1990
Length
153 pages
Annotation
This study compared the characteristics of female and male child sexual abusers across several domains that may be associated with child sexual abuse.
Abstract
Data were obtained through interviews with 65 female child sexual abusers and 75 male child sexual abusers. All subjects had previously been substantiated by State child protective services agencies for acts of child sexual abuse. Questions and indexes used in the study were designed to obtain information on demographics, substance abuse and antisocial behavior, family background and relationships, child sexual abuse patterns and perceptions, and the investigation experience and consequences. Findings show that although female and male child sexual abusers are similar in many ways, there are significant differences. Female offenders are more likely to be unemployed or involved in part-time work, and they are more residentially unstable. They are also younger than male offenders, and they may be less likely than male offenders to show aggressive, confrontational forms of antisocial behavior. The female offenders are more inclined toward passive forms of antisocial behavior and deviance. Female offenders may experience harsher childhoods, including more physical abuse and more emotional abuse. They may also be more sexually victimized as children than male offenders. The findings suggest that female offenders are much more reluctant than male offenders to admit acts of sexual abuse; this translates into a reluctance to cooperate in the investigation procedures. 38 tables and 68 references