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<p>About the Editors ix</p> <p>List of Contributors xi</p> <p>Preface xv</p> <p>Acknowledgements xvii</p> <p>1 Female Sexual Offenders: Theory, Assessment and Treatment – An Introduction 1 <br /> <i>Theresa A. Gannon and Franca Cortoni</i></p> <p>2 Understanding the Prevalence of Female-Perpetrated Sexual Abuse and the Impact of That Abuse on Victims 9 <br /> <i>Jacqui Saradjian</i></p> <p>3 Theories of Female Sexual Offending 31<br /> <i>Danielle A. Harris</i></p> <p>4 The Juvenile Female Sexual Offender: Characteristics, Treatment and Research 53<br /> <i>Lisa L. Frey</i></p> <p>5 The Mental Health Needs of Female Sexual Offenders 73<br /> <i>Myriam-M´elanie Rousseau and Franca Cortoni</i></p> <p>6 The Assessment of Female Sexual Offenders 87<br /> <i>Franca Cortoni</i></p> <p>7 The Treatment Needs of Female Sexual Offenders 101<br /> <i>Hannah Ford</i></p> <p>8 A Review of Treatment Initiatives for Female Sexual Offenders 119<br /> <i>Kelley Blanchette and Kelly N. Taylor</i></p> <p>9 Using the Polygraph with Female Sexual Offenders 143<br /> <i>Peggy Heil, Dominique Simons, and David Burton</i></p> <p>10 Working with Female Sexual Offenders: Therapeutic Process Issues 161<br /> <i>Sherry Ashfield, Sheila Brotherston, Hilary Eldridge, and Ian Elliott</i></p> <p>11 Developments in Female Sexual Offending and Considerations for Future Research and Treatment 181<br /> <i>Theresa A. Gannon, Mariamne R. Rose, and Franca Cortoni</i></p> <p>Index 199</p>

<p>“The overall book is valuable for those working in this field and provides a good introduction to what we know at this time.”  (<i>The Howard Journal of Criminal Justice</i>, 1 July 2012)</p> <p>"This is a landmark book on the explanation, assessment and treatment of female sex offenders, edited by two of the sexual offending fields emerging stars. Drs Theresa Gannon and Franca Cortoni have gathered together many of the best researchers into female sexual offending and the various chapters analyse in depth the key issues confronting practitioners and researchers alike. In my view this is a landmark volume that will set the research and practice agenda for years to come. It is a first class piece of work." (Quote.com, 15 November 2010).</p> <p>"... the overall book is valuable for those working in this field and provides a good introduction to what we know at this time." (The Howard Journal, July 2012)</p> <p>‘This is a landmark book on the explanation, assessment and treatment of female sex offenders, edited by two of the sexual offending field’s emerging stars. Drs Theresa Gannon and Franca Cortoni have gathered together many of the best researchers into female sexual offending and the various chapters analyse in depth the key issues confronting practitioners and researchers alike. In my view this is a landmark volume that will set the research and practice agenda for years to come. It is a first class piece of work.’<br /> —<b>Professor Tony Ward, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand</b></p> <p>‘The research and treatment literature regarding sexual offending has long focused on the misdeeds of men. However, as the scientific and popular focus on sexual offending has increased, so too has the realization that we have underestimated the extent of (and, accordingly, failed to appreciate the effects of) sexually inappropriate behaviour in women. In <i>Female Sexual Offenders: Theory, Assessment and Treatment</i>, Drs Theresa Gannon and Franca Cortoni present a collection of chapters by clinicians and researchers knowledgeable about sexual violence in women. This unique and timely volume quite nicely combines theoretical perspectives with suggestions for effective interventions, as well as some thoughts regarding future directions—all geared specifically to women. A long time coming…this book was well worth the wait.’<br /> —<b>Dr Robin J. Wilson, Clinical Director, Florida Civil Commitment Center, US</b></p>

<b>Theresa A. Gannon</b> is Senior Lecturer in Forensic Psychology at the <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType> of <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Kent</st1:PlaceName>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region>, and a Chartered Consultant Forensic Psychologist specialising in sexual offenders at the Trevor Gibbens Unit, Forensic Psychiatry Services, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Kent</st1:country-region>, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region></st1:place>. Theresa has published widely in the areas of both male- and female-perpetrated sexual offending. <p/> <b>Franca Cortoni</b> is a Clinical Forensic Psychologist with extensive specialized research and clinical experience with male and female sexual offenders. In addition to publishing in this area, she has provided consultation and training services in numerous national and international forums. Formerly with the Correctional Service of Canada, she is now at the School of Criminology at the Universite de Montreal, Canada.

A great deal of literature and empirical research exists regarding male sex offenders. However, research and treatment dealing specifically with <i>female</i> sexual offenders has only been emerging in recent years – but these efforts are rapidly gathering momentum. <p><i>Female Sexual Offenders: Theory, Assessment and Treatment</i> represents the first book to bring together the most current research, clinical assessment, and treatment techniques of female sexual offenders into one accessible volume. The opening chapters provide a wealth of general contextual and background information, covering such issues as female-perpetrated sexual abuse prevalence, juvenile offenders, and current theoretical perspectives to explain this phenomenon. Subsequent chapters feature practitioner-focused essays which examine and evaluate current assessment strategies, treatment needs, effectiveness, and processes for female sexual offenders. Also included is an assessment of the risk of recidivism, international treatment initiatives, and a discussion on the latest research findings on the use of the polygraph with female sexual offenders.</p> <p>The book concludes with an impassioned plea to redouble our efforts – specifically, <i>gender</i>-informed research efforts – if we are to make significant progress in our knowledge about the assessment and treatment of women sexual offenders. <i>Female Sexual Offenders: Theory, Assessment and Treatment</i> paves the way for future practitioners and researchers in this important area.</p>

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