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Purpose <p>Criminology has severely overlooked and neglected female intimate partners of individuals who have sexually abused children. The current study attempts to make sense of and locate child sexual abuse prevention efforts within a broader sociopolitical context, such as with respect to patriarchal constructions of intimate partnership, motherhood, and misconceptions concerning the nature of child sexual victimization.</p> Methods <p>Going beyond conventional criminological research, the current study explores the experiences and attitudes of female intimate partners of men who have sexually abused children. Data were collected from online blog postings and other digital media (<i>N =</i> 68) created by (90%) and/or about (10%) female partners of men who have sexually abused children. Online postings were thematically analyzed for relevant themes and patterns.</p> Results <p>Of vital significance is the current study’s analysis of tendencies to blame women for the sexually inappropriate behaviour of their male partners. Such blaming accounts hold women to an archaic and impossible standard of being responsible for the actions of those around them, and mobilizes patriarchal animosity towards women.</p> Conclusions <p>Many attitudes directed towards intimate partners of individuals who have sexually offended are problematic not only to the detriment of women positioned within these circumstances, but also for widespread understanding of how and why child abuse occurs.</p>

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Voices Unheard: the Experiences of Women Whose Partners Have Sexually Abused Children – A Novel Exploration into Patriarchal Blaming Practices

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月26日

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  • Kayla M. Gaw,
  • David Joubert

摘要

Purpose

Criminology has severely overlooked and neglected female intimate partners of individuals who have sexually abused children. The current study attempts to make sense of and locate child sexual abuse prevention efforts within a broader sociopolitical context, such as with respect to patriarchal constructions of intimate partnership, motherhood, and misconceptions concerning the nature of child sexual victimization.

Methods

Going beyond conventional criminological research, the current study explores the experiences and attitudes of female intimate partners of men who have sexually abused children. Data were collected from online blog postings and other digital media (N = 68) created by (90%) and/or about (10%) female partners of men who have sexually abused children. Online postings were thematically analyzed for relevant themes and patterns.

Results

Of vital significance is the current study’s analysis of tendencies to blame women for the sexually inappropriate behaviour of their male partners. Such blaming accounts hold women to an archaic and impossible standard of being responsible for the actions of those around them, and mobilizes patriarchal animosity towards women.

Conclusions

Many attitudes directed towards intimate partners of individuals who have sexually offended are problematic not only to the detriment of women positioned within these circumstances, but also for widespread understanding of how and why child abuse occurs.