Public Perception of Female Sex Offenders and Severity / Dangerousness

Within the study of crime and the criminal justice system, there is a gender dichotomy when it comes to perpetrators of crime. Similarly, this dichotomy extends to sex offenders and the way that the public may perceive male and female offenders. This study examined three demographic variables (gender, parental status, and political view) and public perception of female sex offenders and their severity/dangerousness. Literature indicates that stereotypes exist that often considers males as perpetrators of sex crimes. However, this does not make females any less culpable for criminal activity. As public opinion can influence policy and practice in the criminal justice field, it is necessary to consider how the public views females. The research was guided by the research question "can gender, parental status, and political view predict public perception of female sex offenders and severity/dangerousness?" Data was collected through a survey of voluntary participants who live in the confines of Northern Virginia and included demographic questions as well as the Community Attitudes Toward Sex Offender Scale (CATSO). The data was analyzed through multiple regression and findings indicate that gender, parental status, and political view were not statistically significant in predicting public perception of severity/dangerousness in female sex offenders.