Distinguishing Characteristics Of Male And Female Child Sex Abusers

Abstract

Abstract This study examines child sexual abuser stereotypes by exploring the relationships among gender, gender role identity, emotional need, and sexual need in adult relationships of child sexual abusers and nonabusers. The sample consists of 71 male and 58 female offenders, and 38 male and 52 female nonoffenders. Masculinity and femininity are measured by the Bem Sex Role Inventory, and emotional and sexual need are measured by the Partner Relationship Inventory. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) results show abusers have higher levels of emotional and sexual need than nonabusers. However, contrary to expectations, female abusers and nonabusers have higher levels of both emotional and sexual need than their male counterparts. Furthermore, only masculinity, not femininity, further differentiates groups. Surprisingly, higher levels of masculinity are associated with lower, not higher, levels of both emotional and sexual need. Implications of these and other findings are discussed in terms of both theory and practice.