Types and strategies of female child sexual offenders: A qualitative content analysis of reports of affected persons and contemporary witnesses

Abstract

Background: Child sexual abuse implies the image of a male perpetrator. Women who sexually abuse children are still a taboo subject in our society. Perpetrator typologies can be an important tool to contribute to improved intervention measures, rehabilitation services and crime prevention. Previous typologies on female perpetrators in the context of child sexual abuse have focused on either personality traits or behaviors. The present analysis combines both aspects and thus attempts to complement previous research. Methods: In order to develop a typology of female perpetrators, 30 written reports and transcribed hearings of female as well as male victims and eyewitnesses were evaluated using qualitative content analysis. Results: A total of four different types of female child sexual offenders and their strategies could be identified. These are the sadistic perpetrator, the mediating perpetrator, the parentifying perpetrator and the instructing perpetrator. Conclusion: A transfer of knowledge regarding the types of female perpetrators to different institutions of society could intensify the clarificational work regarding female perpetrators in the context of child sexual abuse.