Recidivism among female child molesters

Shannon M. Bader, Robert Welsh, Mario J. Scalora

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

During recent years, research about female sexual offender recidivism rates using offi cial criminal justice records has increased. Although informative, rearrest or conviction rates may be insuffi cient for this population. This study examines two potential outcome measures for accurately studying recidivism among 57 female sexual offenders; a criminal recidivism measure based on formal legal charges and a reported recidivism measure based on child welfare reports. Based on the criminal recidivism outcome measure, 10 (17.5%) women were charged for a subsequent sexual crime. The broader reported recidivism measure identifi ed six additional women with subsequent contact with police or child welfare agencies for sexually inappropriate behaviors. There were no signifi cant differences found between the 41 nonrecidivists and the 16 recidivists. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)349-362
Number of pages14
JournalViolence and Victims
Volume25
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2010

Keywords

  • Adult female perpetrators
  • Child sexual abuse
  • Child welfare Agencies
  • Recidivism

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine
  • Health(social science)
  • Law

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Recidivism among female child molesters'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this