A critique of the female sexual perpetrator research

This paper critically reviewed the research literature on female sex-offenders based on all the identified studies with a sample exceeding 10 from 1989 to 2004. Thirteen studies were identified. Five exploratory studies were individually summarized and critiqued as a group. The eight comparative studies were individually discussed and critiqued. Strengths and weaknesses of the current research were discussed. Conclusions about the research and suggestions for future research were provided. Notable conclusions were: that female sex-offenders are more likely to have been sexually victimized than other populations, offended by themselves, and commit serious forms of sexual abuse. There are also some promising typologies for this heterogeneous population, but they need further replication.