Attitudes towards and perceptions of females who sexually offend against children: a comparison between students and professionals

ABSTRACT

Research has identified that male and female perpetrators are viewed differently. The aim of the study was therefore to (a) explore attitudes towards and perceptions of females who sexually offend against children, and (b) compare these attitudes and perceptions between a sample of students and professionals. Ten students, who had not previously studied theories of sexual offending or the management of child sexual offenders, and ten professionals, who work with females in a therapeutic capacity, took part in the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, transcribed and analysed using Thematic Analysis. Three themes were identified, namely the “facilitating role of women in society”, “why women offend”, and “what should happen to women who offend”. There was a tendency to minimise sexual offending by females. Across the two samples, there were similarities in terms of perceptions around why women offend, and differences in terms of attitudes around what should happen to women who offend.

PRACTICE IMPACT STATEMENT

The current study builds on our existing understanding of the attitudes and perceptions held by both students and professionals towards females who sexually offend against children. It highlights how attitudes and perceptions inform decision-making in regard to treatment and supervision, including how personal factors, such as being a parent or working with victims of sexual abuse, may facilitate this in professionals. It is important to further develop our understanding of the impact of attitudes and perceptions on decision-making, especially in professionals, given the role therapeutic alliance plays in promoting treatment efficacy.

KEYWORDS:

• sexual offending against children
• child sexual offending
• female offender
• attitudes
• perceptions

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to express their gratitude and appreciation to the three charitable organisations for their assistance, time and effort in supporting the study undertaken and presented here.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Student sample pseudonyms: Lin, Louise, Lorraine, Labib, Lisa, Lee, Lan, Laia, Lindsay, Lea; Professional sample pseudonyms: Angela, Abigail, Amanda, Andrea, Adele, Aran, Alison, Alix, Anna, Amelia.