Society no longer views females as “above suspicion” of child sexual abuse simply because of their gender. We are finally recognizing that some women—from relatives and family friends to trusted teachers, babysitters, and church leaders—do sexually abuse children and adolescents. For this unique session, the speaker combines case reports, research data, survivors’ shared histories, and her own experience to enlighten participants about the reality of female-perpetrated sexual abuse. This program examines the dynamics of female-perpetrated sexual abuse with both male and female victims and highlights cases of female offenders found guilty of child sexual abuse (from convicted mothers to Ghislaine Maxwell to Sister Norma Giannini). A landmark study of 36 female offenders’ own childhood histories will be shared. How can victims heal from sexual abuse at the hands of female perpetrators? We’ll identify some concerns unique to their victimization and offer strategies for recovery. The presenter is both an experienced counselor and a resilient survivor of maternal sexual abuse.
Learning Objectives:
Identify three grooming behaviors that females often use to gain access to their victims.
Describe three personality characteristics of the female teacher-sex offender and explain how these may contribute to her abusive behavior with adolescents.
