Female Sexual Offenders

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1 Female Sexual Offenders Gender Specific Considerations Presented by Donya L. Adkerson, MA, LCPC Alternatives Counseling, Inc. 2005

2 WARNING! We still have a lot to learn. Research findings on female offenders must be viewed as preliminary. There is very little hard data available.

3 Just how many female sex offenders are there?

4 Extent of Female Sexual Offending Different sources; differing rates P Before mid-80s, usual est. <5% P1988 study of abuse in day care = 40% FSOs P1981 NCCAN study: FSO involved in 37% of cases PFSOs are 1% of rape arrests nationally -often with a male co-perpetrator

5 Extent of Female Sexual Offending Reports from victim studies P Several studies of college students 3-16% of male Vs by FSO 5-10% of female Vs by FSO PFinkelhor using AHA data on FSOs acting ALONE 14-20% of male Vs by FSO 6% of female Vs by FSO

6 Extent of Female Sexual Offending Male Sexual Offender Reports PIncarcerated MSOs - 40% have CSA history by FSO POutpatient MSOs - 30% have CSA history by FSO

7 Reliability of Data Missed offenses PWidespread under-reporting P Possible under-recognition (even by the victim)

8 Reliability of Data Mislabeled offenses P Differentiating Female-initiated vs. Malecoerced offending P Studies based on age difference may include adult women who are rape Vs of teen males P Studies using arrest or DCFS indications can label as FSO a woman who is not actively involved but fails to protect child from MSO

9 Under Reporting due to: How we view males & sex PFSO & teen boy seen as desirable; rite of passage P Sexual orientation concerns for males who complain about FSO PMales report less than females - not seen as vulnerable

10 Under Reporting due to: Women s gender roles P Nurturer roles masks some offending P Mother-child incest highest taboo; high shame for Vs P Females are not seen as threatening (especially in hands-off offending)

11 Under Reporting due to: How we see women s sexuality P Cultural denial of women s sexuality P Female exhibitionism is culturally sanctioned (And profitable) P Women seen as victims, not offenders

12 What do FSOs do? The range of sexual behaviors reported in offenses by FSOs includes all forms of offending that do not require the possession of a penis.

13 Who are the victims? Reported studies disagree on whether FSOs target more male or female Vs. This may vary by type of offense pattern. Like MSOs, FSOs usually know their Vs. Research with FSOs overall is hampered by low numbers of subjects, impairing the ability to have statistically meaningful results.

14 How do they get this way? Theories on Etiology P Biological Factors P Mental Impairment P Psychodynamic P Mental Illness/Personality Disorder P Social Learning P Behavioral Conditioning P Battered Woman Syndrome

15 Biological Factors Theories on Etiology Hypersexuality: Some studies found hypersexual FSOs, similar to hypersexual MSOs, related to elevated androgen. Antiandrogen meds brought about successful change in sex drive and behavior. One study cited chronic illness as a precipitating factor.

16 Biological Factors Theories on Etiology Rates of sexual aggression by females may vary with menstrual cycle. The highest rates occur during ovulation Very little research has been done with vaginal photo-plethysmography.

17 Mental Impairment Theories on Etiology Brain damage or mental retardation sufficient to impact impulse control and judgement. Traumatic brain injury or dementia would be examples.

18 Psychodynamic Theories on Etiology : Various explanations include: PAn absent mother caused lack of empathy & attachment difficulty P The FSO attempts to experience wholeness in sexual merging PThe offense is an expression of confused gender-or self-identity

19 Psychodynamic More explanations: PEarly trauma caused retardation of psychosocial development P Need for nurturance and intimacy P Overwhelming dependency P A form of aggression expressing rage from early childhood experiences

20 Social Learning Theories on Etiology P SAV teaches acceptability of sex with children P Coerced/accompanied by a male who models and gives approval for offending P Commercial motivations - $ for selling child and/or porn

21 Behavioral Theories on Etiology P Sexual response during SAV (reinforced through fantasy) conditions arousal to child sexual abuse P Seductive/sexualized behavior is reinforced with attention and/or approval

22 Battered Woman Syndrome Theories on Etiology Isolation, dependency, low esteem, and fear combine to create compliance with a Male offender. Male sadistic offenders may use gradual erosion of sense of sense through increasingly sadistic acts, creating shame-based functioning.

23 Other Etiological Suggestions P Substance abuse P Trauma-based < Biological and learning combined < Alternating PTSD phases of numbing/dissociation and hyperarousal/intrusion

24 M/F ratio across age groups Referrals to Alternatives Counseling child teen adult female male

25 Age Related Changes ARC to JSO to ASO Kids and teens and grown-ups are not alikeeven as offenders.

26 Female Abuse Reactive Children Prepubescent P Use manipulation, coercion and force P 100% sexual victimization history rate PHigh incidence of PTSD P Show traumatic sexualization and sexual preoccupation P Usually abuse alone

27 Female JSOs Teens P Usually abuses alone P Over half have multiple victims; usually relatives or acquaintances PUse force more than adults; nearly equal to male JSOs (20-25%) P Show less gender preference than adult FSOs P Begin offending younger than males

28 Female JSOs Histories include: P 78-93% were sexually abused P 60% were physically abused P 25% have significant substance abuse P33% have run away P 50% made suicide attempts P % have PTSD or affective disorder (residential)

29 Female ASOs P50-78% offend with a male partner POver 80% had some form of childhood abuse, over 50% sexual P Show markedly different pathology patterns < Teen male Vs = Low pathology < Prepubescent Vs = Severe pathology

30 Proposed Typologies of FSOs Mathews Adult FSO Typology P Teacher/Lover P Predisposed by History P Male-coerced

31 Proposed Typologies of FSOs Mathews Adolescent FSO Typology P Exploration/Exploitation P Re-enactors P Adolescent Predisposed

32 Proposed Typologies of FSOs McCarty FSO Typology P Independent P Accomplice P Co-offender

33 Proposed Typologies of FSOs Faller FSO Typology P Noncustodial abuser PPsychotic P Single Parent Abuser P Polyincestuous P Adolescent

34 Assessment of FSOs The goals P Separate independent from male-coerced offenders P Determine role of sexual arousal, social motivations, substance abuse PDetermine level of psychopathology P Explore role of trauma history P Development a treatment and safety plan

35 Assessment of FSOs The Problems PNo actuarial data on females P Little physiological data and fewer places to assess arousal P Few female specific test inventories related to sexual offending P Only preliminary reports on how traditional SO treatment should be modified for females to be most effective

36 Women who Offend with Men The role of abusive relationships With over half to three-quarters of adult female offenders acting with a male partner, you can t afford to ignore this.

37 What could bring an otherwise non-abusive woman to the point of committing sexual abuse with her partner?

38 Prevalence of Domestic Violence How common is it in the U.S.? PWomen are more likely to be injured, beaten, raped or killed by their partner than by any other kind of assailant P3 to 4 MILLION battered women yearly P95% of DV victims are women

39 Severity of Domestic Violence PAbused women represent 20% of the injury cases at emergency rooms P30% of all murdered women are killed by a partner P30% of battered women are beaten during pregnancy, doubling miscarriages for these women P 51% of women in shelters experienced battering at least weekly

40 Why don t they just leave? Breaking up is hard to do. P Insidious nature of abuse progression P Self-blame, hope for change P Financial dependence P Gender role beliefs P Fear (legitimate) P Trauma Bonding (Stockholm Syndrome)

41 What is a Trauma Bond? Trauma bonding is a naturally occurring psychological phenomenon among people when a person s survival is threaten, they, they are isolated from others, can t escape, and the abuser shows periodic kindness. It commonly occurs among hostages and battered mates.

42 Trauma Bonding through D.V. Battering threatens the woman s survival as she is systematically isolated from others. The abuse is interspersed with displays of warmth, kindness, love. She can t escape, or at least feels she cannot. Survival and coping means accepting the abusers world view and bonding with the warm loving side (usually present when she is most vulnerable, after the battering)

43 The Impact of Trauma Bonding PDisplaced Rage P Splitting - seeing abuser as all good or all bad PLost sense of self; taking on the abuser s view of her P Psychological push-pull in the relationship < Results mimic (or possibly cause) borderline personality disorder

44 The Role of Sexual Sadism FBI Study on compliant victims Some sadistic sexually offending males (including sexual murderers) take their partners through a process of transformation in which she becomes the compliant appendage of the sadist. These women begin with low esteem, high feelings of guilt, and are non-aaggressive. In other respects they are otherwise normal and functional.

45 The process of degradation FBI Study on compliant victims PPhysical abuse: hit with fists & objects; beat with belts, whips, ropes; restrain and hold captive. P Torture: burning, biting, painful clamping, strangling to unconsciousness. P Sexual violence: object penetration, anal assaults, forced fellatio, rape by partner and friends of the partner.

46 The process of degradation FBI Study on compliant victims Emotional abuse was a constant companion to all other forms of abuse. Women were scripted to say and do as their abuser directed. These acts were gradual, over time; pushing the woman s boundaries farther each time. The result was constant fear, depression and a further erosion of the sense of self.

47 The process of degradation FBI Study on compliant victims Eventually, the woman sees herself in her partner s view of her: worthless, a bitch and whore. Eventually, the compliant victim was a compliant partner in the sexual abuse of others.

48 Interventions For the Adult FSO Interventions that may be required for the FSO vary widely. Some general determinations made be made about the type of offending demonstrating. You must first clarify if the female offender is: 1. Male -coerced 2. Independent with related/prepubescent victim 3. Independent with unrelated teen male victim

49 Controversial: No simple answers PShould sex offender treatment groups be gender-segregated or mixed? PConsider: < Impact of victimization history < Differences in Male - Female offending patterns < Differences in Male - Female communication and socialization patterns < Risk of exploitation by groupmates (My bias is AGAINST mixed-gender groups)

50 Some questions yet unanswered PWhat is the real incidence of female initiated sexual offending? PTo what extent do paraphilias motive the FSO? PWhat parts of MSO treatment are appropriate for the FSO? P Is FSO increasing, or just being recognized more?

51 Some questions yet unanswered PWhat is the recidivism rate for FSOs? P What factors affect FSO recidivism? PWhich of the female ARC and JSOs will go on to be the Independent or predisposed adult FSOs?

Adult Perpetrators. Chapter 10

Adult Perpetrators. Chapter 10 Adult Perpetrators Chapter 10 INTRODUCTION Since 1993, the rate of nonfatal intimate partner violence has declined. Decline due to: Improved services for battered women Criminalization of intimate partner