The Primary Prevention of Female Sexual Offending: Current Opportunities
Date
2022
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Publisher
Journal of Victimology and Victim Justice
Abstract
A public health approach to the primary prevention of sexual offending has generated positive outcomes. Recent campaigns have challenged societal stereotypes of sexual offenders; changed organizational policies and increased public
knowledge. However, primary prevention has largely been missing for female
sexual offenders. This is because female sexual abuse has generated much less
attention than its male equivalent. To introduce relevant context, this article initially presents a short literature review. This aims to critically explore the extent
of the issue and what motivates relevant women. Typologies are then applied to
introduce the distinctions between solo offenders and co-offenders. This distinction is utilized to consider how primary prevention could address female sexual
offending. Two key themes emerge in terms of societal stereotypes and key
offending spaces. The current evidence highlights the need to challenge societal
norms, which minimize women’s propensity to commit sexual offences. It also
appears significant to challenge stereotypes, which glorify attractive women who
sexually abuse adolescent males. The opportunities within institutional spaces
and the domestic setting are also considered, with deliberation to targeting relevant professionals and guardians in future primary prevention efforts.
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Keywords
child sexual abuse, prevention, offenders, International Resources, United Kingdom, female offenders
Citation
Grant, J. (2022). The Primary Prevention of Female Sexual Offending: Current Opportunities. Journal of Victimology and Victim Justice, 25166069221134224.