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Myth busters: learn the facts about child sexual abuse
Myth: It is extremely rare for a female to commit sexual abuse.
Fact:
Sexual abuse by women is not rare. While most child sexual abuse offenders are male, research studies estimate between four to 20 percent of child sexual abuse claims are committed by females. Notably, women are much less likely to be arrested and prosecuted for sexual offenses.
Research has shown some key differences in the patterns of sexual abuse between male and female offenders.
Females are more likely to commit abuse along with others, whereas a male will often act alone.
Female offenders are more likely to be a biological parent or caregiver to the child, while male offenders are more likely to be another family friend, relative or parental partner.
Female offenders target a larger age range of children, including younger ones. Some researchers attribute this to their caregiving roles which give them easy access to the children they harm.
Male offenders tend to abuse girls at a significantly higher rate than boys. Female offenders tend to be less discriminant about the gender of children they abuse, and in some cases female offenders show preference toward abusing girls.
While less common than offenses by men, sexual abuse by women is not rare. Further research and prevention efforts need to be done to address this issue.
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