Females who sexually offend
| Date | 14 November 2016 |
| Pages | 296-300 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JFP-07-2016-0032 |
| Published date | 14 November 2016 |
| Author | Carol Ireland,Rebecca Ozanne,Jane Ireland |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Criminology & forensic psychology,Forensic practice,Sociology,Sociology of crime & law,Law enforcement/correctional,Public policy & environmental management,Policing,Criminal justice |
Brief review
Females who sexually offend
Carol Ireland, Rebecca Ozanne and Jane Ireland
Carol Ireland is a Consultant
Forensic Psychologist,
Rebecca Ozanne is a Research
Assistant and Jane Ireland
is a Professor of Forensic
Psychology, all at the School
of Psychology, University of
Central Lancashire, Preston, UK.
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to consider the current knowledge in regard to females who engage
in sexually harmful behaviour (HSB).
Design/methodology/approach –This is a brief paper, reviewing current literature.
Findings –This paper argues the continual limitations in fully understanding this population. However, it
suggests the importance of progressing to discuss patterns of offending as opposed to typologies.
Practical implications –This argues the importance of effective formulation and consideration of patterns
when understanding HSB in females.
Originality/value –This is a current brief review of the literature, summarising key thinking in this area, and
some suggested ways forward for further progression.
Keywords Formulation, Intervention, Risk assessment, Females, Harmful sexual behaviour, Typologies
Paper type Literature review
Current academic understanding regarding females who commit harmful sexual behaviour (HSB)
is at a distinct disadvantage when compared to male offenders. Female sex offending is both
under-reported and poorly understood. Limited research is available and most continues to be
descriptive, focussing on offender and offence characteristics. This brief review paper aims to
capture some ofthe current thinking in this importantarea of study, aiming to summarisesome of
the recent literatureand making suggestions abouthow best to consider this population based on
the limited knowledgebase available. It does not aim to presenta detailed review,just a “spotlight”
on some of the emerging themes and considerations likely important for HSB in females.
Prevalence rates for females who commit HSB continue to be unclear and under-reported.
For example, McLeod and Craft (2015) note how in the USA, 20 per cent of sexual offences
involve females, between 15 and 20 per cent of all sexual offences are perpetrated by women
and yet only 1 per cent of sex offenders in prison are females. This suggests notable differences
with regard to how female offending is recognised and dealt with, with a further indication that
their offences may not necessarily lead to prison sentences. A number of reasons can be
suggested for this criminal justice response to females who sexually offend. This includes
perpetrators being considered victims based on their reported traumatic backgrounds (leading
to more attention being given to mitigating factors) and a view of them predominantly as nurturers
and protectors (Hayes and Baker, 2014), which conflicts with a perpetrator role, making it more
difficult to accept their abusive actions.
Little progress has been made over the last 20 years in forming a more developed understanding
of this group. Understanding does not appear to have progressed much beyond typologies, with
causation factors poorly captured or understood. This has been noted by Johansson-Love and
Fremouw (2009) in their critique of the literature on female sexual offenders. They recorded only
13 studies from 1989 to 2004, five of which were considered exploratory and did not include
any comparison group to assist with determining characteristics distinct to females. The studies
were also flawed in terms of methodology, with poorly applied definitions of abuse.
Received 18 July 2016
Revised 18 July 2016
Accepted 18 July 2016
PAGE296
j
JOURNAL OF FORENSIC PRACTICE
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VOL. 18 NO. 4 2016, pp. 296-300, © Emerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 2050-8794 DOI 10.1108/JFP-07-2016-0032
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