Our blind spot on sexual abuse

IN his article on the profile of child abusers (Analysis, The Irish Examiner, February 3), Shane Dunphy states: “While abusers are generally male, I have dealt with numerous cases involving female perpetrators, and have been involved in research projects that suggest that as many as 13% of children who have experienced abuse did so at the hands of a female family member”.

He goes on to say “In cases where both parents were involved in the abuse, it is usually the father who will be punished and sent to prison, even where the mother was seen to be the more abusive party.”

In November 2005, The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) issued a report entitled Females who sexually offend against children: responses of the child protection and criminal justice systems.

An extensive review of the international literature on female sex offending was carried out for the report, as well as in-depth interviews with a number of key professionals working in this field.

The report refers to “...the importance of being aware that sexual abuse perpetrated by females can take subtle as well as overt forms.”

It went on to say, “the literature and in-depth interviews clearly identify a lack of awareness or acceptance of female-perpetrated child sexual abuse as being a particular barrier to professionals identifying and responding to this type of abuse.”

Last summer there was considerable hysteria over the potential release, due to a legal loophole, of a man convicted of statutory rape. However, no-one seemed to mind that adult women who have sex with underage boys escape without a prison sentence. Seeing that these women don’t have to go to jail, controversy surrounding their early release is conveniently avoided.

Patrick McGinnity

Derrynoose

Keady

Co Armagh

Northern Ireland