Dr. January Bishop
This remarkable book is specifically designed for students, teachers, parents, attorneys, health care professionals, law enforcement officials and any individuals who are concerned about the welfare of minor children in our society. This book addresses some of the psychological and political issues around female sexual offenders. This book also serves as a guiding tool to help professionals identify the long term consequences of childhood sexual trauma, and the offender's inability to deal effectively with external strssors (i.e employment, treatment and criminal justice system) due to societal barriers.
Because of limited research and information on female sexual perpetrators, effective intervention by both, healthcare professionals and law enforcemcent officials is poor, unless they have a clear understanding of this social phenomena. Statistics show that there are approximately 2.5. million cases of female sexual perpetrators within the United States. And there are approximately three million reported cases of individuals who have been victimized by female sexual offenders, which does not include human trafficking. The book examines the severity of the problem and gives testimonies of female sexual offenders who were subjected to psychological mutilation by both, their childhood sexual experiences, and as an adult. Presently, there are no clear diagnostic guidelines that constitute female sex offending nor standarized interviewing procedures to protect minor children who have been sexually abused. It is my hopes that this book will support the need for further clinical research, modification of currnet legislative laws around child sexual abuse, and provide further training for healthcare providers, eduators and law enforcement officials.
January Bishop is a psychologist and licensed clinical social worker who has worked in healthcare profession for approximately twenty-five years. Dr. Bishop completed her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Welfare from California State University, Chico in 1974. Later she completed her Master Degree in Social Work from California State Univeristy, San Diego in 1977. After years of working and studying in the various areas of social work, Dr. Bishop completed her Doctoral Degree in Education (counseling psychology) from Argosy University, College of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences in 2006. She continued to work extensively with diverse client populations, which included, college students, high risk incarcerated male population for the State Department of Correction, patients with HIV, transgender clients, sexual assault victims, and mentall disabled adults. Dr. Bishop functions as a adjunct faculty for California State University and works as both, a clinical consultant and healthcare provider. After extensive research in the field and clinical testimonies by both, victim survivors and perpetrators, she was inspired to write about female sex offenders. And she felt a need to provide a a higher level of awareness to parents, professionals and the community.
Findings reflected that the female participants experienced feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, lack of support and social isolation. The majority of female participants also revealed in their testimonies that they had much difficulty during their childhood. It was also implied that they did not experience a normal childhood upbringing. This may also suggest that they were raised in a relatively dysfunctional family system as illustrated in their testimony.
Kara is a 35-year-old white female who reported that she enegaged in sexual intercourse with a minor and participated in child pornographic materials. She summarized her childhood experience.
I had a really low-self esteem growing up. I was the youngest. I didn't know how to be a girl. From 12 years up, I lived with my stepmother. Following the divorce, my biological mother moved to California. So that she could get work. I only had one contact with my mother since their divorce. I was always the one taking care of my siblings. I did not have a chance to experience childhood. I wanted to blend in so I wouldn't upset my stepmother. My stepmother was on drugs al the time. I didn't have a chance to experience childhood.
Mary is a 54- year-old divorced white female who was charged and convicted of lewd and lascivious acts with her minor children. She describes her childhood:
I went to Disneyland and he fondled me by inserting his finger in my vagina while I was in the pool. His wife knows my uncle. I told my mother, and she said it didn't happen so I never todl them about the other one. I just remember about another male (teacher) who came on to me when I was 13 years of age. The schoolteacher did not ever give me passing grade. The teacher was tongue kissing me on the mouth and he was pushing his penis against me. It felt like a stick. I wish I had never been born. My mother was alcoholic and my father was a gambler. I wish I belonged to someone else.
Patti is a 36-year-old single female who engaged in sexual intercoure with a minor. She made the following statements:
I was shy- I was so insecure.I was smart in school, but I didn't think I was pretty by their standards. I looked like a lot of black people to those kids. I didn't have long hair or light skin.
Carrie is a 37-year-old white female who engaged in sexual intercourse with a minor. She said:
I felt very insignificant. I am an only child. I didn't know my real father. I was a latch key child raised by my mother. I felt like shit. I did not feel good enough. I would always use my sexuality to please a man. Sex would sell. It was my way of showing love.
