NCJ Number
137343
Date Published
1989
Length
113 pages
Annotation
Main objectives of this research were to investigate similarities and differences among female sex offenses and offender backgrounds and dynamics and to explore women's experiences with treatment, criminal justice, and child protection agencies.
Abstract
The study sample included 16 female sexual abusers who were referred to Minnesota's Genesis II Female Sex Offender Program from May 1985 to December 1987. Interviews were conducted over a 1-year period, data were analyzed using qualitative methods, and case studies were constructed for inductive content analysis. Three categories of female sexual offenders emerged from the research data: teacher/lover, predisposed (intergenerational), and male-coerced. These terms indicated a cluster of attributes pertaining to crimes the women committed, their perceptions of victims, the involvement of co- offenders, and psychological similarities and differences. The teacher/lover was generally involved with prepubescent and adolescent males to teach young victims about sexuality. The predisposed offender was usually a victim of severe sexual abuse initiated at a very young age and persisting over a long period of time; her motive was to achieve nonthreatening emotional intimacy. The male-coerced offender acted initially in conjunction with a male who had previously abused children; she exhibited a pattern of extreme dependency and nonassertive behavior. In cases where the women were criminally charged, they all pled guilty to a lesser crime. When convicted, the women received a stay of imposition or execution and were ordered to treatment as a condition of probation. In all cases, the women were initially separated from their children; where the women sexually abused their children, the courts found the children to be neglected and dependent. In several cases, the women voluntarily terminated their parental rights. Generally, the women viewed their treatment by the criminal justice system as reasonable and just. In contrast, they perceived child protection agencies and juvenile courts as prejudiced and punitive. The women who participated in treatment reported substantial therapeutic changes such as increased self-esteem, improved interpersonal skills, and insights about sexual abuse. Appendixes contain the study instruments and information on relevant Minnesota laws and policies. 27 references and 10 tables