Female Sexual Offending: An Exploration of Current Knowledge

In this chapter we focus on the available evidence with regard to adult female sexual offenders (FSOs). Where relevant, we also reflect on data relating to female adolescent abusers. The first thing to note is that in focusing on female offenders, it is not our intention to divert attention away from the problem of male-perpetrated child sexual abuse. Rather, the aim is to stimulate debate about offending behaviour that is often minimised in terms of scope, nature and consequences for victims. Second, this is not intended to be an exhaustive account of the existing evidence on female sexual offenders. Our objective here is to highlight some of the key issues and draw attention to future research needs in relation to this population.