In 2004 there was an article written by Michele Elliott that was based upon a chapter in her book Female Sexual Abuse of Children: The Ultimate Taboo. I wanted to take a small piece of that article and put it here. That piece talks about why it has taken so long to bring out the problem of female sexual abuse.
Why has it taken so long to bring out the problem of female sexual abuse? Female sexual abuse seems to be more of a taboo because:
(1) Female sexual abuse is more threatening - it undermines feelings about how women should relate to children.
(2) It has taken years for people to recognise that children are sexually abused, but that sexual abuse has been placed in the context of male power and aggression. Women are not supposed to be sexually aggressive and the male power theory eliminates them as possible abusers, unless they are coerced by males. Yet, in the majority of the 800 cases presented here, male coercion was not present.
(3) People find it difficult to understand exactly how a woman could sexually abuse a child. They are not seen to be capable of this kind of abuse.
(4) When adult survivors of female abuse have told their stories, they have often met with the rebuttal that they are fantasising. A child recently told that her mother had sexually abused her, along with the child’s father. The therapeutic team took the view that she was clearly projecting and fantasising. The abuse by the father was never in doubt. Only after a second assessment by a well-known team at a children’s hospital, was the child believed.
In her conclusion was this piece:
The survivors are beginning to provide us with some sketchy details. Ninety-six per cent of the men and women said the abuse they suffered dramatically adversely affected their lives. That is not surprising. Seventy-eight percent of the survivors said they could find no one willing to help or believe. That is profoundly disturbing. Some said they were told that the abuser must have been male and were offered help to remember the ‘real’ abuser.
For anyone who is interested in this area I would recommend they purchase her book, Female Sexual Abuse of Children: The Ultimate Taboo
Friday, May 28, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
Perceptions of Sexual Abuse by Female Offenders
The VIRTUS program did something this week that surprised me. They have an article about sexual abuse by female sex offenders. True it is a small piece but it is a good piece and every little bit helps. Here is part of the article:
Minimization of Reports—Researchers have found that the misconceptions of sexual abuse by females permeate our criminal justice system, mental and medical health fields, and other professions that address sexual abuse. Law enforcement training tends to address male sexual offenders exclusively and this, along with pre-existing cultural biases, affects their response to reports of female-perpetrated abuse. Studies show that police officers tend initially to react with disbelief to allegations of sexual abuse by women, and they minimize the seriousness of the reports and view female suspect as less “dangerous” than male offenders. Along with other professionals, law enforcement officers are also more likely to label cases as “unfounded” when they involve women (Department of Justice, 2007).
I would also add that there is also some who actively try to dismiss or minimize even discussing the subject of female sex offenders.
Perception that Female Sexual Abuse Does Not Cause Harm—By far the most prevalent reason female sexual offending is not taken seriously is because both men and women tend to believe sexual abuse by women and girls is not harmful to victims. Media images of attractive women and “willing” adolescent boys have existed for many years in new reports, books, television, and movies. Now we have news outlets that focus an inordinate amount of attention on any case that fits the, often stereotypical, pattern of a teen boy and pretty, young teacher. The truth is that while some female offenders do target teen boys, a greater percentage target young children of both genders. More importantly, there is no study that shows that the harm caused to victims of any age is any less when the perpetrator is a female than when the perpetrator is a male.In fact, several studies suggest that that harm may be greater because the expectation of trust was higher and the secondary trauma of not being believed or taken seriously served to increase harm to victims. In one study that included male and female victims of both male and female perpetrators, 100 percent of these victims reported that the female-perpetrated abuse was more damaging. One victim reported, “There is a deeper sense of betrayal with a female perpetrator. It’s like there is no safe place… that’s a bitter betrayal” (Denov, 2004). Although this is a subjective view, it certainly negates the belief that abuse by women does not cause harm.
I wanted to highlight something here that is very important:
there is no study that shows that the harm caused to victims of any age is any less when the perpetrator is a female than when the perpetrator is a male. In fact, several studies suggest that that harm may be greater because the expectation of trust was higher and the secondary trauma of not being believed or taken seriously served to increase harm to victims.
You can read the rest of the article by clicking HERE
Minimization of Reports—Researchers have found that the misconceptions of sexual abuse by females permeate our criminal justice system, mental and medical health fields, and other professions that address sexual abuse. Law enforcement training tends to address male sexual offenders exclusively and this, along with pre-existing cultural biases, affects their response to reports of female-perpetrated abuse. Studies show that police officers tend initially to react with disbelief to allegations of sexual abuse by women, and they minimize the seriousness of the reports and view female suspect as less “dangerous” than male offenders. Along with other professionals, law enforcement officers are also more likely to label cases as “unfounded” when they involve women (Department of Justice, 2007).
I would also add that there is also some who actively try to dismiss or minimize even discussing the subject of female sex offenders.
Perception that Female Sexual Abuse Does Not Cause Harm—By far the most prevalent reason female sexual offending is not taken seriously is because both men and women tend to believe sexual abuse by women and girls is not harmful to victims. Media images of attractive women and “willing” adolescent boys have existed for many years in new reports, books, television, and movies. Now we have news outlets that focus an inordinate amount of attention on any case that fits the, often stereotypical, pattern of a teen boy and pretty, young teacher. The truth is that while some female offenders do target teen boys, a greater percentage target young children of both genders. More importantly, there is no study that shows that the harm caused to victims of any age is any less when the perpetrator is a female than when the perpetrator is a male.In fact, several studies suggest that that harm may be greater because the expectation of trust was higher and the secondary trauma of not being believed or taken seriously served to increase harm to victims. In one study that included male and female victims of both male and female perpetrators, 100 percent of these victims reported that the female-perpetrated abuse was more damaging. One victim reported, “There is a deeper sense of betrayal with a female perpetrator. It’s like there is no safe place… that’s a bitter betrayal” (Denov, 2004). Although this is a subjective view, it certainly negates the belief that abuse by women does not cause harm.
I wanted to highlight something here that is very important:
there is no study that shows that the harm caused to victims of any age is any less when the perpetrator is a female than when the perpetrator is a male. In fact, several studies suggest that that harm may be greater because the expectation of trust was higher and the secondary trauma of not being believed or taken seriously served to increase harm to victims.
You can read the rest of the article by clicking HERE
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Another light sentence ?
The article below talks about a case in which it seems that the offender is getting a pretty light sentence. Considering the person was already on probation for "reckless abuse of an adult" I would think that this would have been a red flag.
RICHMOND — Jaclyn VanWinkle likely will have served her prison sentence before she is formally sentenced after entering a guilty plea Thursday to rape and sodomy charges.
VanWinkle pleaded guilty to charges of third-degree rape and third-degree sodomy stemming from an incident involving a 15-year-old boy.
Richmond police charged VanWinkle after the boy told detectives she had given him alcohol, performed sex acts on him and then had intercourse with him.
VanWinkle was arrested last July and was indicted in September on two counts of third-degree rape and one count each of third-degree sodomy, third-degree unlawful transaction with a minor and first-degree sexual abuse.
VanWinkle told Madison Circuit Judge Jean C. Logue that she did not suffer from any mental problem that would impair her ability to understand Thursday’s proceedings.
When she was arrested, VanWinkle was on probation stemming from a guilty plea to reckless abuse of an adult for her role in the abuse of a Madison Manor resident.
VanWinkle had worked as a nurse’s aide at the facility, and was charged in connection with a hidden-camera investigation into the treatment of Armeda Thomas, a resident who later died. - Read the entire article here
RICHMOND — Jaclyn VanWinkle likely will have served her prison sentence before she is formally sentenced after entering a guilty plea Thursday to rape and sodomy charges.
VanWinkle pleaded guilty to charges of third-degree rape and third-degree sodomy stemming from an incident involving a 15-year-old boy.
Richmond police charged VanWinkle after the boy told detectives she had given him alcohol, performed sex acts on him and then had intercourse with him.
VanWinkle was arrested last July and was indicted in September on two counts of third-degree rape and one count each of third-degree sodomy, third-degree unlawful transaction with a minor and first-degree sexual abuse.
VanWinkle told Madison Circuit Judge Jean C. Logue that she did not suffer from any mental problem that would impair her ability to understand Thursday’s proceedings.
When she was arrested, VanWinkle was on probation stemming from a guilty plea to reckless abuse of an adult for her role in the abuse of a Madison Manor resident.
VanWinkle had worked as a nurse’s aide at the facility, and was charged in connection with a hidden-camera investigation into the treatment of Armeda Thomas, a resident who later died. - Read the entire article here
Friday, May 14, 2010
Female child molester gets no time?
I was not able to find very much information in the media about the following case. The headline states:
A woman that forced three little girls to perform sex acts on her will not have to serve any jail time if she returns to Mexico.
MESA COUNTY, Colo. (KKCO) - A woman that forced three little girls to perform sex acts on her will not have to serve any jail time if she returns to Mexico.
Maria Elena Kennedy was convicted of sex assault on a child and Friday morning she was sentenced to 18 months in jail but won't have to serve it if she goes back to Mexico and doesn't have any contact with the victims.
One of the victims spoke before the judge at Kennedy's sentencing saying she can never forgive her for what she did. - Read the entire article here (video also at link)
A woman that forced three little girls to perform sex acts on her will not have to serve any jail time if she returns to Mexico.
MESA COUNTY, Colo. (KKCO) - A woman that forced three little girls to perform sex acts on her will not have to serve any jail time if she returns to Mexico.
Maria Elena Kennedy was convicted of sex assault on a child and Friday morning she was sentenced to 18 months in jail but won't have to serve it if she goes back to Mexico and doesn't have any contact with the victims.
One of the victims spoke before the judge at Kennedy's sentencing saying she can never forgive her for what she did. - Read the entire article here (video also at link)
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Survivors quote
I was sent a wonderful quote and I wanted to reprint it here. This is so very true for survivors be they male or female:
The survivor [ . . .] is a disturber of the peace. He is a runner of the blockade men erect against knowledge of "unspeakable" things. About these he aims to speak, and in so doing he undermines, without intending to, the validity of existing norms. He is a genuine transgressor, and here he is made to feel real guilt. The world to which he appeals does not admit him, and since he has looked to this world as the source of moral order, he begins to doubt himself. And that is not the end, for now his guilt is doubled by betrayal - of himself, of his task, of his vow to the dead. The final guilt is not to bear witness. The survivor's worst torment is not to be able to speak. - Terence Des Pres from "The Survivor: An Anatomy of Life in the Death Camps"
The survivor [ . . .] is a disturber of the peace. He is a runner of the blockade men erect against knowledge of "unspeakable" things. About these he aims to speak, and in so doing he undermines, without intending to, the validity of existing norms. He is a genuine transgressor, and here he is made to feel real guilt. The world to which he appeals does not admit him, and since he has looked to this world as the source of moral order, he begins to doubt himself. And that is not the end, for now his guilt is doubled by betrayal - of himself, of his task, of his vow to the dead. The final guilt is not to bear witness. The survivor's worst torment is not to be able to speak. - Terence Des Pres from "The Survivor: An Anatomy of Life in the Death Camps"
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Melissa Huckaby Case
With Ms. Huckaby taking a plea deal I am left to wonder what might come out at the sentencing hearing. With all the other charges being dropped it may never be known what all happened to Sandra Cantu and what may have happened with other children. Hopefully the courts will make sure that she gives information regarding any sexual offenses she may have committed against anyone.
STOCKTON - A San Joaquin County judge has accepted a guilty plea from Sandra Cantu kidnapping and murder suspect Melissa Huckaby.
Under a plea agreement reached with the San Joaquin County District Attorney, Huckaby will be sentenced June 12th to a prison term of life without the possibility of parole for the murder and kidnap of 8-year-old Sandra Cantu of Tracy last year.
Under the plea agreement reached Monday morning, all additional charges brought against Huckaby were dropped. - Read the entire article here
STOCKTON - A San Joaquin County judge has accepted a guilty plea from Sandra Cantu kidnapping and murder suspect Melissa Huckaby.
Under a plea agreement reached with the San Joaquin County District Attorney, Huckaby will be sentenced June 12th to a prison term of life without the possibility of parole for the murder and kidnap of 8-year-old Sandra Cantu of Tracy last year.
Under the plea agreement reached Monday morning, all additional charges brought against Huckaby were dropped. - Read the entire article here
Friday, May 7, 2010
Female on Female child sexual abuse case
This article below talks about a few important things when it comes to survivors of sexual assault, especially children and adolescents:
UK - A FEMALE sex attacker has been jailed for five years after her victim said: “She took away my childhood and the best years of my life.”
The girl, now a woman in her twenties, said she went “completely off the rails” after Gough molested her.
She said the assaults haunted her, she still suffered nightmares and flashbacks and felt she would never get over her ordeals even as her tormentor was brought to justice.
The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said she missed out on “the normal things that young girls do” and lost a childhood she could never get back. Se turned to drink and drugs and “spent seven years out of her head”, the court heard.
She tried to take her own life several times, once as recently as a few weeks ago, and took medication for depression.
Drug and alcohol abuse, depression, suicide attempts. All these things are often seen in people who have survived being sexually abused as a child. Many times the problems may not outwardly manifest for a long period of time. And as in this case the victim did not tell her mother what happen for years and even then she did not tell her the full extent of what was done to her. This is also common in these type of cases with most victims of female perpetrated sexual abuse never telling anyone.
Further in the article is this:
He said: “Despite the fact that it is undoubtedly an ugly series of offences, this is not the worst of their type.
“She did not seek out a situation in which this would arise. She did not seek out this victim.”
He added there was no intimidation, threats, abduction, detention or use of drugs or alcohol, and said it was difficult to lay all the complainant’s troubles at Gough’s door. - Read the entire article here
While I realize that defense attorney's need to defend a client I still find these kind of statements to be uncalled for. And in another article about the trial this was said:
During the trial, the jury heard graphic descriptions of the abuse from the victim.
She told the court that Gough terrified her and that she dreaded finding herself alone with her.
The victim – now in her 20s – recalled how she was left in pain and bleeding after one incident.
The abuse stopped when Gough moved away to run a pub in Lincoln in 2001. - Article
Left in pain and bleeding seems to be vastly different than what the defense was trying to portray. This case also demonstrates that anyone regardless of gender can be a solo sexual offender and that yes both male and female offenders can be violent.
UK - A FEMALE sex attacker has been jailed for five years after her victim said: “She took away my childhood and the best years of my life.”
The girl, now a woman in her twenties, said she went “completely off the rails” after Gough molested her.
She said the assaults haunted her, she still suffered nightmares and flashbacks and felt she would never get over her ordeals even as her tormentor was brought to justice.
The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said she missed out on “the normal things that young girls do” and lost a childhood she could never get back. Se turned to drink and drugs and “spent seven years out of her head”, the court heard.
She tried to take her own life several times, once as recently as a few weeks ago, and took medication for depression.
Drug and alcohol abuse, depression, suicide attempts. All these things are often seen in people who have survived being sexually abused as a child. Many times the problems may not outwardly manifest for a long period of time. And as in this case the victim did not tell her mother what happen for years and even then she did not tell her the full extent of what was done to her. This is also common in these type of cases with most victims of female perpetrated sexual abuse never telling anyone.
Further in the article is this:
He said: “Despite the fact that it is undoubtedly an ugly series of offences, this is not the worst of their type.
“She did not seek out a situation in which this would arise. She did not seek out this victim.”
He added there was no intimidation, threats, abduction, detention or use of drugs or alcohol, and said it was difficult to lay all the complainant’s troubles at Gough’s door. - Read the entire article here
While I realize that defense attorney's need to defend a client I still find these kind of statements to be uncalled for. And in another article about the trial this was said:
During the trial, the jury heard graphic descriptions of the abuse from the victim.
She told the court that Gough terrified her and that she dreaded finding herself alone with her.
The victim – now in her 20s – recalled how she was left in pain and bleeding after one incident.
The abuse stopped when Gough moved away to run a pub in Lincoln in 2001. - Article
Left in pain and bleeding seems to be vastly different than what the defense was trying to portray. This case also demonstrates that anyone regardless of gender can be a solo sexual offender and that yes both male and female offenders can be violent.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Oprah Show - Female Sex Offender's First TV Interview
This clip from April 9, 2010 is a short one being a little less than 5 minutes long. But it is a good one. I would urge everyone to watch the video and listen to what the offender has to say.
http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Female-Sex-Offenders-First-TV-Interview-Video
And notice how she states she also sexually abused her own daughter as well as the hundreds of other children.
http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Female-Sex-Offenders-First-TV-Interview-Video
And notice how she states she also sexually abused her own daughter as well as the hundreds of other children.
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