'Mommy Didn't Know': Female Sexual Offenders in the U.S.

New Book Offers In-Depth Understanding of Female Sexual Abuse of Minors
EL CERRITO, Calif., May 9, 2008 -- When the term "sexual perpetrator" is tossed out there for consideration, a pretty typical picture comes to mind for many people. Most likely, this picture does not involve a female perpetrator, but according to Dr. January Bishop, female sexual abuse of minors is a quickly growing phenomenon, and the National Criminal Census Bureau reports that there are approximately 2.5 million female sexual perpetrators within the United States.

Bishop, a psychologist and clinical social worker who has spent 25 years in the healthcare field, brings her expertise and countless hours of clinical research together in a comprehensive look at the world of female sexual perpetrators, "Mommy Didn't Know" (published by AuthorHouse - http://www.authorhouse.com).

An examination of Bishop's clinical research, "Mommy Didn't Know" attempts to provide an in-depth understanding of some of the many psychological and political issues surrounding female sexual offenders. Specifically designed for students, teachers, parents, attorneys, health care professionals, law enforcement officials and individuals who are concerned about the welfare of children in today's society, the book also serves as a tool to aid professionals in identifying the long-term consequences of childhood sexual trauma, as well as the offender's inability to effectively deal with external stressors due to social barriers. Bishop explains:
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.
"Mommy Didn't Know" offers a personal look inside the lives of these convicted women, sharing their personal testimonies and shedding light on just why these women make the decisions that they do. Reflecting upon this research, Bishop examines the need for legislators to re-evaluate the current child sexual abuse laws and forms of clinical treatment in order to eliminate child sexual abuse.

Dr. January Bishop holds a doctoral degree in counseling from Argosy University. She has worked extensively with a diverse range of clients and issues, including high school and college students, high-risk incarcerated males, HIV-related psychosocial issues, transgender issues and sexual assault victims.