Adverse childhood experiences among females who sexually abuse

Female perpetrated sexual abuse has historically been a neglected area of research. Encouragement for more dedicated research has followed the recognition that females who display this behaviour have often experienced adversities in their early life. The aim of this thesis is to further professional understanding of the aetiology of sexual abuse among females. The first chapter provides an introduction to the topic, and the justification and aims of the thesis. The following chapter is a systematic review of the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences among children and adolescents who display harmful sexual behaviour. The third chapter explores the characteristics and motivations of females who sexually abuse employing a mixed methods research design, using data pertaining to female children and adolescents in the community and adults in prison. The fourth chapter is a case study of an adult female sex offender, providing an account, rich in detail, of the cycle of victim to offender. The following chapter is a critique of the adverse childhood experiences scale, with the benefits and limitations of this measure discussed. This research develops and extends professional knowledge of sexual aggression, assessment and treatment methods and seeks to improve policy and practice. Insecure attachments resulting from adverse childhood experiences is a theme which runs throughout all chapters, and the clinical utility of using attachment theory to understand the motivations for sexually abusive behaviour is highlighted