Differences Between Solo Female Sex Offenders and Those with a Co-Offender

Last Updated on September 24th, 2026 at 08:50 pm
Originally Published on October 15th, 2021 at 10:50 am

Overview

How do developmental forces, mental health issues, and the presence of a co-defendant affect sentence mitigation and aggravation? Which category of female sexual offender is more likely to act impulsively?

Summary

Though there is not a great deal of research on female sexual offenders, researchers and clinicians have been trying to categorize them based on commonalities and differences since the 1980s.  One of the frequently cited categories of female sexual offender is that of the Male Coerced.  This category has been further broken down into subcategories of compliant victim, rejected/revengeful, or willing ally.  

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Reference

SOURCE RESEARCH

Characteristics of Females Who Sexually Offend: A Comparison of Solo and Co-Offenders

Gillespie, S.M., Williams, R., Elliott, I.A., Eldridge, H.J., Ashfield, S. & Beech, A.R. (2015). Characteristics of Females Who Sexually Offend: A Comparison of Solo and Co-Offenders. Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, 27(3), 284-301.

Published: 2015

DOI: 10.1177/1079063214556358

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