The New Portrayal of Female Child Sexual Offenders in the Print Media: A Qualitative Content Analysis

Christensen, Larissa S.

doi:10.1007/s12119-017-9459-1

Cited by 27 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 28 publications

(53 reference statements)

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“…Most of the comments in the current study tended toward the first attitude and less so toward the second. These results resemble Christensen's (2018) findings of an analysis of print media portrayals of female child sexual perpetrators in Western countries; these women are described mostly as dangerous and accountable for their actions, rather than as mentally ill or somewhat less accountable because of their gender.…”

Section: Attitudes Toward Leifer As An Alleged Woman Perpetratorsupporting

confidence: 76%

Public Attitudes Toward Institutional Child Sexual Abuse in Israel: The Case of Malka Leifer

2021

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This study examined Israeli public perceptions of institutional child sexual abuse (CSA) in the Malka Leifer case. Leifer is a Jewish ultra-Orthodox former Melbourne school principal who is wanted in Australia on CSA charges, after fleeing to Israel. Based on a qualitative analysis of 2,451 reader comments retrieved from four Israeli news websites and six public Facebook pages, the findings indicated diverse attitudes toward the alleged perpetrator, the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, state authorities, and victims. All parties involved were criticized, but less so the victims. Criticisms included sociopolitical and gender stereotypes, and demonic attributions. Positive comments were directed at all involved, even the alleged perpetrator, and especially the victims. The results demonstrate the need to better understand CSA portrayals in cyberspace, as they affect both public and policymaker attitudes, and the importance of fighting prejudicial discourse about the ultra-Orthodox community, especially in light of its changing attitudes regarding CSA.

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Section: Attitudes Toward Leifer As An Alleged Woman Perpetratorsupporting

confidence: 76%

Public Attitudes Toward Institutional Child Sexual Abuse in Israel: The Case of Malka Leifer

2021

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“…Many professionals in the current study suggested that the most powerful way to assist with the recognition of female-perpetrated sexual abuse was the utilization of the media as an influential and strong tool; in fact, the media has the ability to shape public beliefs, values, and myths, as well as stimulate or impasse policies (Berkeley Media Studies Group, 2003). While there have been recent positive advancements on the reporting of female child sexual offender cases in the print media, away from undertones of romanticization and sympathy (Christensen, 2018), professionals offered the suggestion of an educative media campaign through a nongendered lens: that a person can perpetrate sexual abuse. Community media campaigns work as a form of primary prevention by raising awareness about a topic at a universal level rather than just at a secondary or tertiary level (Saunders & McArthur, 2017).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Professionals’ Perceptions of Female Child Sexual Offenders

Christensen

2018

J Interpers Violence

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The aims of the current study were to (a) obtain an in-depth understanding about professionals' perceptions of female child sexual offenders and (b) identify where system efforts should be focused to better address and acknowledge female child sexual offenders. In-depth semistructured interviews were conducted one-on-one with a diverse group of professionals (police officers, social workers, counselors, case managers, child and family support workers, and a legal professional; N = 21) involved in the community response and justice sector, which allowed for unique views across diverse vantage points. Four core themes were identified through thematic analysis: (a) female child sexual offenders are a heterogeneous group, (b) negative impact of female-perpetrated sexual abuse, (c) gender of perpetrator is predominantly insignificant in case dealings, and (d) the need for a more open discourse on female child sexual offenders. Professionals in the current study acknowledged that female child sexual offenders can inflict serious and persistent negative impacts on victims and that the gender of the offender is insignificant in their individual professional dealings of child sexual abuse cases. While these findings appear to be a positive step forward, away from earlier perceptions identified in the literature, it was evident that the gender of the perpetrator may still play a significant role in some dealings across professions and among colleagues. Two areas identified by professionals as requiring system efforts were (a) professional development along with the dissemination of appropriate research to better inform professionals and (b) the need for a more open discussion in society concerning female-perpetrated sexual abuse. The findings of the current study may assist with appropriate recognition, protection, and intervention for victims of female-perpetrated sexual abuse.

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“…Female-perpetrated sexual abuse is an important area of research as, contrary to earlier beliefs (e.g., Mathis, 1972) and prior depictions of romanticism in the media (Christensen, 2018a), females can inflict persistent psychological and physical impacts on victims (Christensen, 2018b). In their meta-analysis, Cortoni, Babchishin, and Rat (2017) found police reports and victimisation surveys indicated 2 percent and 12 percent of sexual offences were perpetrated by females, respectively.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 93%

Sexual abuse by educators: a comparison between male and female teachers who sexually abuse students

Christensen

Darling

2019

Journal of Sexual Aggression

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The New Portrayal of Female Child Sexual Offenders in the Print Media: A Qualitative Content Analysis

Cited by 27 publications

References 28 publications

Public Attitudes Toward Institutional Child Sexual Abuse in Israel: The Case of Malka Leifer

Public Attitudes Toward Institutional Child Sexual Abuse in Israel: The Case of Malka Leifer

Professionals’ Perceptions of Female Child Sexual Offenders

Sexual abuse by educators: a comparison between male and female teachers who sexually abuse students

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