Female Sexual Offenders: Theory, Assessment and Treatment

A great deal of literature and empirical research exists regarding male sex offenders. However, research and treatment dealing specifically with female sexual offenders has only been emerging in recent years – but these efforts are rapidly gathering momentum.

Female Sexual Offenders: Theory, Assessment and Treatment represents the first book to bring together the most current research, clinical assessment, and treatment techniques of female sexual offenders into one accessible volume. The opening chapters provide a wealth of general contextual and background information, covering such issues as female-perpetrated sexual abuse prevalence, juvenile offenders, and current theoretical perspectives to explain this phenomenon. Subsequent chapters feature practitioner-focused essays which examine and evaluate current assessment strategies, treatment needs, effectiveness, and processes for female sexual offenders. Also included is an assessment of the risk of recidivism, international treatment initiatives, and a discussion on the latest research findings on the use of the polygraph with female sexual offenders.

The book concludes with an impassioned plea to redouble our efforts – specifically, gender-informed research efforts – if we are to make significant progress in our knowledge about the assessment and treatment of women sexual offenders. Female Sexual Offenders: Theory, Assessment and Treatment paves the way for future practitioners and researchers in this important area.