title: Female perpetrators of sexual abuse of minors: what are the consequences for the victims?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The definition of sexual abuse changes according to the moral values and culture of each era. In the past the perpetrators of sexual abuse were perceived to be exclusively male. However, contemporary literature is placing increasing emphasis on the role of female sexual abusers. The aim of the current literature review is to focus on the consequences of sexual abuse in minors when the perpetrator is female.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature search of the main databases for studies was conducted. Restriction was placed on European and North American literature due to perceived culture differences.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Victims of sexual abuse by female perpetrators are usually friends or relatives of the abuser and find themselves sometimes under persuasion and psychological coercion to participate in sexual acts. The percentage of male victims is growing. There are severe and longstanding psychological consequences for the victims which are further analyzed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Contemporary studies offer limited information about this issue and the consequences it has on the victims. The majority of such cases are not reported. Sometimes sexual abuse by female perpetrators is considered more acceptable than sexual abuse by males. Psychological interventions could be a powerful tool in reduction of female sexual abuse and its consequences on the victims.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatric Hospital of Attica, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tsopelas
authors.forename: Spyridoula
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tsetsou
authors.forename: Petros
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ntounas
authors.forename: Athanassios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Douzenis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D054523:Adult Survivors of Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology*; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology*; D057237:Criminals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D044465:White People