When people hear the term sex offender, they often picture a middle-aged man. However, between 1 - 2 per cent of convicted sex offenders are actually female (Vandiver and Walker, 2002). Female sex offenders differ somewhat from male sex offenders, as female offenders tend to have no previous criminal record, are arrested for rape or first-degree sexual abuse, and tend to be younger than male sex offenders (Vandiver and Walker, 2002).
Some researchers believe that the incidence of female sex offenses is actually higher than the reported 1 - 2 %. They believe that female sexual offenses are under-reported, because women are not historically viewed as aggressors, and because contact between women and young children is viewed as more acceptable,
Some researchers believe that the incidence of female sex offenses is actually higher than the reported 1 - 2 %. They believe that female sexual offenses are under-reported, because women are not historically viewed as aggressors, and because contact between women and young children is viewed as more acceptable,