An Overview of Female Sex Offenders Dr Gerald

An Overview of Female Sex Offenders Dr. Gerald R. Hover 1

Three recent studies from th the 29 ATSA Conference 2010 2

Russell, W. F. , Gibson, E. N. , and Christenson, B. “A Preliminary Analysis of Behavioral Characteristics of Females Engaging in Illegal Sexual Behavior” An American study of 34 prostitutes and pedophiles; partner violence, mental health/personality issues. 3

Gannon, T. A. , “A Re-examination of Female Child Molester’s Implicit Theories: Evidence of Female Specificity” A United Kingdom examination of 15 female offenders; a “male” treatment model misses the female experience; a female data base is required. 4

Kramer, S. “Discourage the Power in Self. Perceptions of Incarcerated South African Female Offenders” A South African sample of 8 who offended their own children; males as perpetrators, women as victims. 5

Why the paucity of numbers? 1. Lack of reporting 2. Diverted from the criminal justice system 3. Small population with low re-offense rate 6

Cortoni, F. , Hanson, R. K. , & Coache, M, (2010) “The Recidivism Rates of Female Sexual Offenders Are Low: A Meta. Analysis” Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, 22 (4), 387401 A study of 10 studies 7

Results: 2, 490 female sex offenders from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States with a 6. 5 year follow-up 8

Female proportion of sex offenders range from 0. 6% in New Zealand to 8. 7% in the United States Average = 4. 6% 9

Proportion of female offenders claiming their own prior victimization ranged from 3. 1% in New Zealand to 7. 0% for Australia. Average = 4. 8% 10

What are male recidivism rates and how do they compare to the women? 5 year follow-up for men 13. 5% sex 25. 5% violent 36% any (Hanson & Morton – Bourgon 2004) 11

6. 5 year follow-up for female sex offenders Sexual re-offenses = 3. 2% Violent re-offenses (to include sexual) 6. 5% Any re-offenses (to include the above) 25% 12

Recidivism Compared MEN Sex Violent Any WOMEN 13. 5% 25. 5% 36% 3. 2% 6. 5% 25% 13

Most female sex offenders are not likely to be convicted of a new crime, and fewer for a sex crime Any crime = 25% Sex crime = 3. 2% When convicted female offenders are 8 times more likely to be convicted of a nonsexual crime 14

Females represent 5% of the total population of sex offenders 15

Women comprise between 17% and 23% of prisoners worldwide 16

Hypotheses/Why? Ø Social/psychological vulnerability Ø Extensive history of victimization Ø Crime may be sexually motivated Ø Crime may be socially motivated Ø Prostitution is labeled a sexual crime Ø Failure to register may be labeled a crime Ø Female risk factors unknown sex 17

Contact Number gerald. hover@doc. wa. gov 360 -794 -2419 18