Female pedophiles going undetected

The prevalence of female pedophiles preying on children in care is much higher than previously thought, according to a study that reveals a significant amount of the sexual abuse occurs when the women are in positions of authority. The study, the first of its kind in Australia, shows female sexual predators are responsible for 6 per cent of all the reported cases of sexual abuse against children. Much of the abuse occurs while the women are acting as babysitters or carers, says the study by Child Wise, the nation's peak child protection group.

Child Wise national program manager Karen Flanagan said while there was no definitive profile of female abusers, those known to have molested children included babysitters, nannies, nuns and teachers. [...] [T]he five-year study shows women are less likely than men to be prosecuted for their crimes against children.

source: Article 'Female pedophiles going undetected' by Natalie O'Brien; www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,18370929-2,00.html; NEWS.com.au (The Australian); 7 March 2006