Effects of victim gender, age and sexuality on perceptions of sexual assaults committed by women

Abstract

This chapter evaluates the literature on perceptions of sexual assaults committed by female perpetrators. Sexual assaults upon adult male and child victims are included. Traditionally female sexual offending has been ignored, although sexual offences committed by females elicit similar negative psychological effects in their victims as sexual offences committed by males. Investigating perceptions of sexual assault indicates the types of responses victims receive when they disclose their assault to others. Research shows that perceptions of sexual assaults committed by females are considered less serious than those committed by males. How negatively victims are evaluated can depend on the gender, age and sexuality of the victim, and all of these issues are explored in relation to empirical work.