The use of online technology in the modus operandi of female sex offenders

Abstract

In this review we examine the methods by which female sexual offenders may use communications technologies such as the internet in their offending behaviours. We outline the context of sexual abuse of children both by female perpetrators and by those using the internet. The topic is examined based on three criminogenic areas highlighted by Lambert and O'Halloran: (1) interpersonal/socialization deficits; (2) deviant sexual arousal; and (3) cognitive distortions and recognition barriers. We include elements drawn from anonymized clinical cases of female-perpetrated sexual abuse of children involving online technology. We present the argument that the characteristics of this population are likely to suggest that clinicians assessing cases of this nature may find it more useful to refer to the literature on female sexual offenders rather than that of male internet offenders.

Keywords:

• Internet
• child sexual abuse
• female sex offender
• grooming
• child pornography

Acknowledgements

We would like to extend our appreciation to Hilary Eldridge, Alice Newman and Jo Ziegert of the Lucy Faithfull Foundation's Female Outreach Project for the expert clinical assessments that form a substantial part of the basis for this analysis. Also, our thanks to Hilary Eldridge and Sheila Brotherston for their comments on an earlier draft of this paper.

Notes

1. There is considerable debate between academics about what terminology should be used to describe the material viewed by individuals with a sexual interest in children. We have opted to combine ideas from Malamuth, Addison and Koss (2000; “Sexually explicit media”) and Glasgow (2010; “sexually explicit material”), adding the suffix “-c” to denote the specific depiction of children.