Comparing female- to male-perpetrated child sexual abuse as presumed by survivors-A qualitative content analysis

Background: Female-perpetrated child sexual abuse (CSA) is taboo topic in society and an under -recognized issue in research and mental health care.Objective: The aim of the present study was to examine perspectives of individuals surviving female-perpetrated CSA (in parts in addition with male-perpetrated CSA) on the question whether female-perpetrated CSA and its sequelae were considered different compared to male-perpetrated CSA.Participants and setting: The perspectives of 212 survivors of female-perpetrated CSA were captured in a cross-sectional online study. Methods: Answers to the questions "How does female-perpetrated CSA differ from male -perpetrated CSA?" and "How do consequences of female-perpetrated CSA differ from those of male-perpetrated CSA?" were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.Results: The analyses reveal ten categories of differences, such as a more subtle approach, different levels of violence, and more psychological manipulation. Further, the analyses suggest ten categories of different personal consequences, such as less belief and support, more psycho-logical sequelae, and disturbed relationships with women.Conclusions: Approaches to raise awareness about gender stereotypes in the context of CSA are needed and special needs of survivors of female-perpetrated CSA in psychotherapeutic treatment can be derived from the results of this study.