What was she thinking? Women who sexually offend against children - implications for probation practice

Female child sex abusers have tended to form a neglected area of study and the significance for professional practice in understanding this group of offenders has only recently achieved recognition. This article traces the burgeoning research literature on the characteristics of women perpetrators and those they abuse and finds that the damage caused to victims is severe, affecting every area of their lives throughout their lives. Although there are relatively few female sex offenders in the Criminal Justice System this article highlights that many more prisoners and probationers will have suffered at the receiving end of this type of abuse. The implications for good practice in probation work are discussed.