Female Sex Offenders - Raising Awareness

When we think of "sex offenders," many people automatically think of male sex offenders, thus overlooking the frightening reality that seems unfathomable-some women can be and are sex offenders. This reality is finally beginning to receive more attention in the public eye, which is helping raise awareness. One of the questions frequently asked and debated is just how common or rare are female sex offenders?

What appears to be a simple and easy question to answer, the truth is that this question is very complex and must take into account a number of variables. Due to a lack of standardization in reporting,combined with inconsistencies in research methods and overall definitions of sexual abuse, trying to obtain an accurate number is extremely difficult.

Estimates vary based on the number and type of offense being looked at. For example consider two studies that looked at teachers who had sexually abused students. (1) The studies found that 42.4 in one study and 43 percent in the other study, were done by female offenders. A recent study done for the Bureau of Justice found that youth in juvenile correctional facilities who reported sexual assaults by staff members reported that 95% of those assaults were committed by female staff members (2). Another study which looked at over 17,000 survivors of childhood sexual abuse, found that 23% were abused by a female only, whereas another 22% had both male and female perpetrators (3).

The research shows that female sex offenders, once considered to be very rare, is more common than previously realized. Depending on the nature of the offense, the percentage can run quite high. The myth that most female offenders acted with a male partner has also been shattered through ongoing research.

Another question often asked and debated is, "why they do it?". Again, the answer is complex. The simplest answer is that women abuse for many different reasons, just as we see with male offenders.

When we as a society deny or minimize the fact that sexual abuse by women occurs we are also denying their victims the help and support they deserve. We also allow the offenders to avoid getting help for themselves so they can stop their offending.

Female sex offenders is an area demanding much more research and education as we are beginning to realize the depth and breadth of the problem. Public awareness is desperately needed, but awareness that avoids the sensationalism that often accompanies this topic.

1 - Office of the Under Secretary (2004). Educator Sexual Misconduct: A Synthesis of Existing Literature. Washington, DC. Available at http://www.ed.gov/rschstat/research/pubs/misconductreview/report.pdf.
2 - Bureau of Justice Statistics, Special Report, Sexual Victimization in Juvenile Facilities Reported by Youth, 2008-2009, January 2010, NCJ 228416.
3 - http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/170018.pdf