The Long Term Effects of Child Sexual Abuse by Female Perpetrators: A Qualitative Study of Male and Female Victims

Studies have shown a clear correlation between childhood sexual assault (CSA) and negative sexual experiences later in life. Of relevance to the criminal justice system, these later forms of sexual victimization include sexual assault and sex work. The relationship between CSA and adverse sexual development is a correlation between two things, not a direct pathway from cause to effect. While survivors of sexual assault are at a higher risk of experiencing these later forms of victimization, this correlation represents a highly complex process involving a wide range of mediating factors and the intersections between them. Any experience of sexual assault is highly traumatic. Survivors of CSA, however, represent a unique population, because their trauma occurs near the start of the human developmental process and therefore alters all development thereafter.

Any victim of sexual abuse faces the chance of having their development impacted. This is especially true amongst children. Studies have proven that children who have been sexually abused by a female offender often have different developmental experiences (T.A. Gannon, 2008, p. 356). Mental illness is yet another impact that victims face. Many sexual abuse victims transpire into states of depression, rage, and suicide; they even have strained relationships with certain individuals (Denov, 2014, p.

Being sexually abused is a very traumatizing experience, and this form of victimization at a young age only amplifies the situation. The mortifying nature of child sexual abuse often brings along with it changes in the victim's life. Some of the numerous short term effects (problems that impact them while they are still at a young

with Research conducted on the characteristics of female sexual abusers uses three specific case examples of young girls, ages: ten, twelve, and sixteen. In two of three case examples, the girls had reported being sexually abused at a young age. The third girl, age sixteen, did not explicitly state she had been sexually abused, but has close ties with her father who is a known sex-offender,; therefore it is believed that she has been sexually abused during childhood. A review of adolescent offenders of sexual abuse, under the age of 21, shows: “Chi-square analyses showed significant associations between those who targeted children and being sexually abused or having a family member subject to sexual abuse” The study also reports that those that have experienced sexual assault at a young age, and have been reported to sexually assault other children typically have poor relationships with peers and family members in addition to experiencing two or more instances of

Child sexual abuse is an ever-present, psychologically and physically damaging event that occurs daily to hundreds of children. Unfortunately, child sexual abuse is not going away any time soon and the lives of so many precious children are altered forever. These abused children often grow up to be psychologically damaged adults with emotional, cognitive and physical issues that may never be able to be conquered. Far too many adults live with the pain of their secret and it can be quite debilitating. Adults who were abused as children may have many problems in their

. (Stewart, ) contends that feelings of vulnerability, unworthiness and powerless difficulty in distinguishing sexual from affectionate behaviours, mistrust, shame, guilt, stigma and mental health problems are psychological effects of CSA. A study conducted by (Wilson, 2010) indicates that adult survivors of CSA show a series of psychological and physical problems throughout their lives. (Hornor, 2010) argues that the majority of children who are sexually abused will be moderately to severely symptomatic at some point in their life. There is evidence to suggest that (Stevenson, 1999) children who are exposed to sexual abuse are at risk negative consequences as a result of the abuse itself, not solely as a consequence of other associated background

Female sex offending is an understudied phenomenon; consequently, there are scarcity amounts of studies within the last decade on female sexual offenders in the educational system (Martin, 2015; Blokland & Lussier, 2015; Kingston, 2014; McLeod, 2014; Ratliff & Watson, 2013; Austin, Plumm, Terrace, & Terrell, 2013; Solis & Benedek, 2012; Bexson, 2011; Knoll, 2010; Morgenbesser, 2010; and Wijkman, Bijleveld, and Hendricks, 2010). Previous studies have reported the behavior and characteristics of female sexual offenders to establish the profile for females who perpetrate abuse against children (for example, Ferguson & Meehan, 2005; Grayston & DeLuca 1999; and Faller, 1995). There is a consensus among social scientists that the factors thought

Women that experience sexual crimes and report them are typically subject to more issues dealing with the victimization and blame assigning them they are with the actual crime that was committed. Addressing these issues in the interrogation and questioning process, as well as the issues in the institutionalized

Further research suggests that a majority of female offender victims are in their adolescence and are in between the ages of 11 to 17 years old. Females statistically are more likely to know their victim and are even more likely to be biologically related to their victim that male sexual offenders. When examining reported crimes of sexual abuse carried out by female perpetrators, it was found that females are more likely to victimize other females (Johansson-love & Fremouw,

Introduction: I feel that dealing with clients who are the survivors or current victims of abuse is the most intricate and sensitive subject I have studied. Emotional and physical abuse of children and adults can take place at any age, in any country or culture and at any level of society. Forms of abuse are massively varied and can be motivated by many factors including sexual gratification, control, fear or even love.

must have experienced childhood sexual abuse at least once in their lives, were eighteen years or

“Sexual abuse is divided into four categories: traumatic sexualization, stigmatization, betrayal, and powerless” (Kinnear). Traumatic sexualization is due to inappropriate sexual experiences which results in the child avoiding sex or has problems with sexual identity. Stigmatization is based off the child who blames themselves for the abuse they encountered. The victims may feel guilty and withdrawal from their friends and family. Betrayal is the third category, which is defined based off children being sexually abused by a trusted adult. This could be a family member or a friend they have known. The result ends by the victim having difficulty trusting adult figures. The last category is subjected as powerless. Victims who experience this category will feel helpless. They do not understand how they can stop the abuse and will feel overwhelmed from it. Abused victims will experience one of these categories from being neglected (Kinnear).

Annotated Bibliography: In this article, the author is making an argument that sexual abuse causes brain development problems in the long run. These children gain “a less flexible state of equilibrium” (Gaskill 37). They then become poor socialized and have problems in regards to emotional and physical health. In order to these children, they need to be helped immediately,

The results show a correlation between the victim age and gender as significant meaning that male victims were the more likely to be chosen and when choosing female victims, they were either children, peers or adults (Worling, 1995). The sample was then divided into four groups: 27 offenders against female adolescent and adults, 29 offenders against female children; 10 of these offenders also chose female adolescent and adult victims, 12 offenders against only male children, and 19 offenders against both female and male children (Worling, 1995). Thirty seven out of 87 participants reported sexual abuse history (Worling, 1995). The results also showed statistical significance in that 75 % of adolescent sex offenders that sexually abuse male children showed a sexual abuse history as opposed to 25 % of those who sexually abused female children, peers or adults (Worling, 1995). The study also implicates that it is possible psychological trauma associated with prior sexual abuse along with learned behavior from social interaction can lead to future

Furthermore, the search for the truth about child sexual abuse is somewhat ill judged as a result of how figures are produced, the way in which the abuse is defined, the source of information and the methods used by researchers. Consequently, accurate assessment of the problem becomes a challenge. The features of the problem present barriers to research as sexual abuse is a crime that is kept secret. Many people are reluctant to talk about this crime for many reasons including fear, shame, and guilt (Ogunade, 1998).t.