Cases of adult women having sexual relationships with underage boys are commonly described as “illicit romances,” with no discussion of the potential of coercion, misuse of power or long-term harm. Media accounts of female offenders, particularly teachers who abuse male students, minimize the effect on the victims and eroticize the offenders. None of Epstein’s female associates has been indicted. And so I felt like she could have easily been aware of what he was doing and fine with it.” So again, there was this safety in that the door was open. One accuser described a situation in which she was allegedly assaulted with Maxwell nearby, stating, “I felt like she was aware of it. They also reported threats against them if they did not comply. They report ignoring red flags because, if another woman was there who acted as if the situation was normal, they must be wrong in feeling violated. They questioned their feelings that what was happening was actually rape or sexual assault. In testimony and interviews, alleged victims of Epstein report that the presence of the women prior to and during the assaults made them feel that they were safe. Women who are coerced to participate in sexual abuse are also more likely than women who are not coerced to have experienced physical, emotional or sexual abuse in childhood, as well as adult relationships that involved intimidation, stalking or sexual abuse. They are also more likely to be in a violent relationship with a husband or boyfriend, who is often the co-offender. More have traumatic childhoods and strained relationships with parents due to parents being divorced, in prison or abusing drugs or alcohol. Women who co-offend are different from those who offend alone in many ways. Others participate in exchange for money or drugs. Many are threatened or physically abused to force participation. However, many are coerced or forced by the male co-offender. Some may abuse victims for reasons similar to male offenders – for example, to gain power, to retaliate against someone, or due to sexual deviance. They may coerce or manipulate the victim, or perpetrate sexually abusive behaviors in front of, or at the same time as, the male abuser.Īccusers in the Epstein cases allege that his female co-offenders engaged in all of these forms of abuse. Women may be involved by recruiting and coaxing the victims into dangerous situations and helping to provide a sense of safety for the victims. When two or more people participate in the abuse of the same victim, they are co-offenders. However, the most striking difference is that female offenders are six times more likely than male offenders to have a co-offender. In contrast, male offenders overwhelmingly offend against female victims, and more often in marriage or dating relationships. The victims of female offenders are often younger than those of male offenders, and female offenders are equally likely to offend against female and male victims. Women are more likely than men to be the parent or guardian of the victim. Female offenders are more likely to offend in child care contexts, including being a babysitter or teacher. Women who commit sexual offenses differ from men in many ways. If they are convicted, they receive shorter sentences than male offenders. Female offenders are also less likely to be arrested and convicted. However, official data of arrest and conviction rates may underrepresent the number of female sex offenders, as those who have been assaulted by a woman are less likely to report the abuse. In surveys of people who have been victims of sexual abuse or assault, 3% of female victims and 21% of male victims report that the perpetrator was female.
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