Child Sexual Abuse Perpetrated by Women: Case Series and Review of the Literature

Abstract

The literature on child sexual abuse (CSA) perpetrated by female sexual offenders (FSOs) is exiguous, and many studies have focused on judicial databases. The present retrospective study, instead, analyzed clinical and judicial data of a group of both victims and alleged FSOs, to additionally include women who have not been convicted by the criminal justice system, but who hold strong clinical suspicions of being perpetrators of CSA. The medical records and the Court files of 11 children and their eight suspected FSOs have been collected and critically reviewed in light of the literature to date. This approach allowed for a deeper understanding of the relationship between child and FSO. The authors hypothesize that the victims’ severe psychopathological outcomes were a result of a failure to develop appropriate attachments with their prospective caregivers, which could have been damaged by the pathological relationship with FSOs, who were the victims’ caregivers.

Child Sexual Abuse

“…Even if some authors suggested that the latter can be the result of a lack of knowledge/awareness of healthcare operators-who cannot be trained enough in recognizing CSA -it is essential to note that anogenital signs can be frequently absent because of examinations not acutely conducted, healing capability of tissues, and occurrence of low-energy traumas/penetrations/sexual contacts. 11,[22][23][24][25] This manuscript confirmed the abovementioned data. Indeed, in this study, lesions considered moderately/highly suspected of sexual abuse were present in a few cases for both sexes (in 7.8% of girls and 3.1% of boys).…”

“…According to the scientific literature, in most suspected CSA cases, no injuries of the anogenital area are identified at physical examination. Even if some authors suggested that the latter can be the result of a lack of knowledge/awareness of healthcare operators—who cannot be trained enough in recognizing CSA—it is essential to note that anogenital signs can be frequently absent because of examinations not acutely conducted, healing capability of tissues, and occurrence of low-energy traumas/penetrations/sexual contacts 11,22–25 …”

“I Know It’s Hard to Believe, But the Monster Who Abused Me is My Mother:” Experiences of Being Sexually Abused as a Child by a Female

“…In this manner, these tactics are different from the grooming behaviors applied by men in order to create the opportunity to offend a child in a way that reduces detection (e.g., giving gifts or special attention to a child or making close physical contact sexual, such as inappropriate tickling). It has been shown that use of regular daily activities are particularly applicable to children under 5 years of age, who are likely to be more dependent upon their caregiver (Curti et al, 2019). Thus, instead of bathing being an enjoyable mother-child interaction, it becomes in this context a confusing and hurtful experience.…”

Female-Perpetrated Sexual Violence: A Survey of Survivors of Female-Perpetrated Childhood Sexual Abuse and Adult Sexual Assault

“…The existing literature on FPSA disproportionately relies on data drawn from formally reported suspicions of female-perpetrated sexual abuse, including cases reported to child protective services and the police, and incarcerated female perpetrators (Curti et al, 2019; Peter, 2009). Reliance on such a narrow subset of events further complicates understanding of FPSA, since focusing on suspected or convicted female perpetrators limits research to incidents that were (a) labeled as a potential victimization experience by the victim or an affiliate, and (b) deemed sufficiently severe to be reported through a formal channel.…”