Female adolescent sex offenders: A neglected treatment group

VioLit summary: OBJECTIVE: The goal of this article by Scarvo was to identify the reasons that adolescent female sex offenders have not received attention in the treatment field and to lay out guidelines for treatment, assessment, and social work implications. METHODOLOGY: A nonexperimental review of the literature and clinical experience was used for this study. FINDINGS/DISCUSSION: The author argued that female adolescent sex offenders have been neglected by the social work and research field. Part of the reason was that society tries to protect adolescents of both sexes; patriarchal attitudes were thought to only further cover up the problem of sexually abusive females. Existing definitions of sexual abuse were also cited as contributing to the hiding of female sexual abusers. Criteria which include significant age differences and the coercive use of force have provided a technical escape for female offenders and a context in which others are unwilling to make determinations against females who do not fit these descriptions. The author argued that attention to females who sexually abuse is needed for several reasons. First, it was argued that intervention is essential to prevent further victimizations. Second, evidence was cited that early offending in adolescence led to later offending in adults. Finally, it was stated that intervention was most effective at early stages. What information that was found for female sexual offenders found that sexual abuse was often hidden in childcare activities--babysitting for teens--and was often hidden as a game. The legal system was found to be unwilling to prosecute because of the incongruence with the stereotype of sexual offenders. Assessment and treatment was initiated usually in the context of other behavioral problems and, less often, from court referrals. In general, early acknowledgment of the sexual problem was seen as essential because it communicates willingness on the part of the therapist to discuss the issue and defines it as needing attention. The author advised against interrogative methods and narrow focus in early interviews. Instead, she said that the focus should be on developing a personal profile of the adolescent. It was stated that a history of emotional and social instability, social isolation, sexual victimization, and failure to master age appropriate expectations were frequent. The author argued that the psychological dynamics of the female adolescent offender were the same as the male. Poor self concept, intense anger, feelings of helplessness, social isolation, and female instability and disharmony were cited as factors which should enter as treatment concerns. Appropriate treatment was described as providing the female with the opportunity to explore thoughts, feelings and ideas with the goal of developing more insight, different thinking patterns, and improved coping skills. Working through unresolved anger was also seen as critical. After this exploration, the author said that it should be time to discuss the details of the sexual offense in a supportive yet confrontive way. The goal was stated as getting the offender to assume responsibility, develop empathy for the victim, and see negative consequences. The fact that several female sexual offenders are also victims of sexual abuse was a complicating factor. When this occurs, the author argued, it is important to treat the victimization and use that for a source of insight and empathy into the victimizing behavior without dismissal of the victim's own abusive behavior. Family was seen as critical for the success of therapy in the provision of information about development and functioning and encouragement for the abusive family member. Families were found to often resist involvement because of anxiety, but support, reassurance, and education to the family were tools to help gain support. Families, it was said, need to learn how to create safe and responsible environments. Abusers within the home were a particular concern, and it was said that they must be removed or included in the therapy if not incarcerated. AUTHOR'S RECOMMENDATIONS: In general, the author argued that recognition, identification, and treatment of the female sexual offender must take place in the social work community. Additionally, the author argued that professionals should share information. EVALUATION: This article offers an important recognition of the need for attention to female adolescent sex offenders. Groundwork has been laid for further research. However, there are two points in this article that must be considered carefully. The author argues that the female sex offender is like the male sex offender. There is not enough evidence to back this assumption. In fact, the dynamics of sexual abuse (point 2) against women may make the two very different. We do not know enough about either group, particularly women, to come to this conclusion. The dynamics of sexual abuse were underplayed in this article. Feminist scholarship points to the critical role of sexual victimization and oppression in female lives. The connection needs much more research in the area of adolescent female sexual offenders. (CSPV Abstract - Copyright © 1992-2007 by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, Institute of Behavioral Science, Regents of the University of Colorado) Female Offender Female Violence Juvenile Female Juvenile Treatment Juvenile Violence Juvenile Offender Sexual Assault Offender Sexual Assault Treatment Treatment Recommendations Offender Treatment Literature Review 03-03