Sexual abuse by women

Female sexual offenders
Sexual molestation of children by women
Sexual abuse of men

Nature

One of the greatest obstacles to the prosecution of female sexual offenders may be the general disbelief that women are capable of initiating sexual abuse. Often children who have been sexually abused by women are denied professional assistance because adult individuals cannot comprehend such abuse. Some view sexual abuse in terms of male power, as men tend to have more physical strength than women. The potential physical and psychological strength of a woman over a child, however, may negate the importance of gender in child molestation.

Incidence

A 1992 London report shows that of 100 victims abused by women only 25 were given professional support, although all sought assistance. One organization involved in the report stated absolute non-acceptance of accusations of female sexual offenders, while another organization prohibited any men from entering the clinic. Of 127 adult victims who contacted a London organization, half the women and two thirds of the men were abused by their mothers, while the rest were abused by other female relatives or authority figures.

Claim

It is disgraceful that professional organizations and individuals alike should disregard cases of sexual abuse by women. While some suggest female sexual offenders are simply an anomaly in our society, it is important to understand the potential thousands of silent cases of such abuse. Some victims have been kept silent by families and professionals, and some have been kept silent by their own feelings of shame for having been violated by women, the supposed weaker sex.

Counter-claim

While cases of sexual abuse by women should be prosecuted just as those of male offenders, it is important not to divert undue attention to such cases because of their sensationalism. The majority of child molesters are men, and should be understood as such.