5%) are males and only 9 (1.5%) are females. In five of these nine incidents the sexual molestation took place with the presence of a male partner; while in four cases the perpetrator acted independently. Out of the five women who sexually abused children along with a male partner 1 victimized a male child, 3 victimized female children and 1 victimized their own son and daughters. When reviewing the history of these women, the researchers found that most of them had been sexually abused by males acting independently. All of the nine female sexual perpetrators fit the profile sketched by Finkelhor (1984) and Araji and Finkelhor (1985).
Neddermeyer (2008) writes, "Child sexual abuse is the greatest hidden epidemic in the world. U.S. statistics reveal as high as 62% of females and 31% of males will be sexually violated before age 18." The motives of child sexual abusers are very clear yet one cannot excuse them and eliminate and ignore the significant implications of the decisions they make as adults. While one can sympathize with the child molester for being sexually abused as a child, one cannot ignore the decisions he makes as an adult and the denial-psychology that allows him to carry on with his behavior. The law very clearly states that all adults are responsible...
Finkelhor. (1985).Explanations of Pedophilia: Review of Empirical Research.. Bulletin of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law 13: 17-37.
Blume, E.S. (1991). Secret Survivors. Ballantine Books: New York, NY.
Finkelhor, D and Russell, D. (1984).Women as Perpetrators: Review of the Evidence. In D. Finkelhor, Child Sexual Abuse New Theory and Research; 171-187.
Neddermeyer, D.M. (2005). Child Sexual Abuse Defined. Available at: http://www.evliving.com/2005/03/01/child-sexual-abuse-defined/
Neddermeyer, D.M. (2005). Society in Deep Denial on What Constitutes Sexual Child Abuse. Available at: http://www.evliving.com/2005/06/13/society-in-deep-denial-on-what-constitutes-sexual-child-abuse/
Neddermeyer, D.M. (2008). Sexual Child Abuse Knows No Boundaries. Available at: http://www.evliving.com/2008/05/12/sexual-child-abuse-knows-no-boundaries/
Rowan, E.L., J.B. Rowan, and P. Langelier. (1981).Women who molest children. (1981). The Bulletin of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Vol. 18(1): 79-83.
