Women who stab: a personal construct analysis of sexual victimization and offending behaviour

The personalities and perceptions of two women with a history of very significant sexual abuse who had committed serious violent offences against 'boy friends' are investigated using role construct repertory grid (Kelly) and hypotheses developed for treatment, in particular to prevent any reoffending. The most significant dimension that emerged was in general terms that of 'abuser-victim'. It was clear that there was significant confusion about their self-perceptions with regard to these roles. They perceived themselves as abusers despite their histories of victimization. There was a high level of guilt associated with the victim role in each woman and in previous therapy simply dealing with their victim role gave rise to very disturbed self-destructive behaviour and even more guilt. The grid results enabled the abuser self-perception to be identified and treatment programmes to be developed using Ryle's cognitive-analytic therapy. Following treatment further grids and clinical evidence suggested that there were significant changes in self-perception and in behaviour. The findings were discussed and the need for further investigations suggested.