Female-on-female child sexual abuse

Research on child sexual abuse (CSA) tends to focus on research and prevention efforts centered on male perpetrators yet estimates show females may be responsible for up to 20% of offenses. Female-on-female child sexual abuse (FFCSA) remains an especially understudied area, with prior studies being limited to mother-daughter incest.

The present study examined the abuse characteristics and use of sexual grooming in FFCSA.

Participants included 63 adult survivors of FFCSA who reside in the United States who completed an online, anonymous self-report survey.

The survey includes questions related to demographics, abuse characteristics, as well as quantitative and qualitative questions on experiences of sexual grooming behaviors.

Results showed that participants were, on average, 8.4 years old when the abuse began (range = 0-17), while perpetrators were typically young females (mean age 19.5; range = 6-60). The majority of perpetrators were known to the minor-most often friends, acquaintances, or family members. Most participants described repeated abuse, with fondling, kissing, and digital penetration as the most common types of abuse. Rates of disclosure were low, with fewer than 5% disclosing to law enforcement and fewer than 25% to social supports. Notably, participants reported experiencing an average of 17 grooming behaviors. Common behaviors included creating opportunities to be alone, engaging in childlike activities, exposing the perpetrator's naked body, and telling the minor not to tell anyone. Exploratory analyses revealed no significant differences in the number of sexual grooming behaviors within grooming stages used by juvenile or adult perpetrators of FFCSA.

Findings suggest females may use behaviors to appear non-threatening and develop a relationship with the minor that could result in both undetected abuse and underreporting. This study underscores the need to integrate recognition of FFCSA into CSA prevention, detection, and treatment efforts to reduce stigma and support survivors.