Female Sexual Offenders

Theresa A. Gannon is Senior Lecturer in Forensic Psychology at the University of Kent, UK, and a Chartered Consultant Forensic Psychologist specialising in sexual offenders at the Trevor Gibbens Unit, Forensic Psychiatry Services, Kent, UK. Theresa has published widely in the areas of both male- and female-perpetrated sexual offending. Franca Cortoni is a Clinical Forensic Psychologist with extensive specialized research and clinical experience with male and female sexual offenders. In addition to publishing in this area, she has provided consultation and training services in numerous national and international forums. Formerly with the Correctional Service of Canada, she is now at the School of Criminology at the Université de Montréal, Canada.

“The overall book is valuable for those working in this field and provides a good introduction to what we know at this time.”  (The Howard Journal of Criminal Justice, 1 July 2012)"This is a landmark book on the explanation, assessment and treatment of female sex offenders, edited by two of the sexual offending fields emerging stars. Drs Theresa Gannon and Franca Cortoni have gathered together many of the best researchers into female sexual offending and the various chapters analyse in depth the key issues confronting practitioners and researchers alike. In my view this is a landmark volume that will set the research and practice agenda for years to come. It is a first class piece of work." (Quote.com, 15 November 2010)."... the overall book is valuable for those working in this field and provides a good introduction to what we know at this time." (The Howard Journal, July 2012)‘This is a landmark book on the explanation, assessment and treatment of female sex offenders, edited by two of the sexual offending field’s emerging stars. Drs Theresa Gannon and Franca Cortoni have gathered together many of the best researchers into female sexual offending and the various chapters analyse in depth the key issues confronting practitioners and researchers alike. In my view this is a landmark volume that will set the research and practice agenda for years to come. It is a first class piece of work.’—Professor Tony Ward, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand‘The research and treatment literature regarding sexual offending has long focused on the misdeeds of men. However, as the scientific and popular focus on sexual offending has increased, so too has the realization that we have underestimated the extent of (and, accordingly, failed to appreciate the effects of) sexually inappropriate behaviour in women. In Female Sexual Offenders: Theory, Assessment and Treatment, Drs Theresa Gannon and Franca Cortoni present a collection of chapters by clinicians and researchers knowledgeable about sexual violence in women. This unique and timely volume quite nicely combines theoretical perspectives with suggestions for effective interventions, as well as some thoughts regarding future directions—all geared specifically to women. A long time coming…this book was well worth the wait.’—Dr Robin J. Wilson, Clinical Director, Florida Civil Commitment Center, US

• About the Editors ixList of Contributors xiPreface xvAcknowledgements xvii1 Female Sexual Offenders: Theory, Assessment and Treatment – An Introduction 1 Theresa A. Gannon and Franca Cortoni2 Understanding the Prevalence of Female-Perpetrated Sexual Abuse and the Impact of That Abuse on Victims 9 Jacqui Saradjian3 Theories of Female Sexual Offending 31Danielle A. Harris4 The Juvenile Female Sexual Offender: Characteristics, Treatment and Research 53Lisa L. Frey5 The Mental Health Needs of Female Sexual Offenders 73Myriam-M´elanie Rousseau and Franca Cortoni6 The Assessment of Female Sexual Offenders 87Franca Cortoni7 The Treatment Needs of Female Sexual Offenders 101Hannah Ford8 A Review of Treatment Initiatives for Female Sexual Offenders 119Kelley Blanchette and Kelly N. Taylor9 Using the Polygraph with Female Sexual Offenders 143Peggy Heil, Dominique Simons, and David Burton10 Working with Female Sexual Offenders: Therapeutic Process Issues 161Sherry Ashfield, Sheila Brotherston, Hilary Eldridge, and Ian Elliott11 Developments in Female Sexual Offending and Considerations for Future Research and Treatment 181Theresa A. Gannon, Mariamne R. Rose, and Franca CortoniIndex 199