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13 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 5 JANUARY 2022 OPINION Poco Kernsmith, Erin B. Comartini & Sheryl Kubiak Poco Kernsmith is Professor of Social Work, Erin B. Comartini Assistant Professor of Social Work, Sheryl Kubiak is Dean and Professor of Social Work, at Wayne State University BRITISH socialite Ghislaine Maxwell has been convicted for her role in lur- ing and grooming girls to be sexually abused by the American financier Jef- frey Epstein. In a court in lower Manhattan, Max- well – a close friend of Epstein's – was found guilty of five counts including sex trafficking a minor. She now faces a maximum sentence of 65 years behind bars. The verdict comes more than two years after Epstein took his own life while in jail awaiting trial on charges including conspiracy to traffic underage girls for sex. Maxwell's trial provided an opportu- nity for victims of Epstein and Maxwell to give court testimony about the abuse they experienced. The case also high- lights the importance of understanding sex offenses perpetrated by women. Maxwell was convicted on charges in- cluding trafficking a minor for sexual purposes and conspiracy to transport an individual under the age of 17 across state lines with the intent of engaging in illegal sexual activity. To date, Maxwell is the only person to stand trial for the abuse of these girls. We have studied women who have been convicted of sexual assault, abuse and human trafficking, as well as pub- lic attitudes toward sex offenders. Our research, and that of others, shows the similarities and differences between male and female sexual offenders. How common are sex offense charges against women? The majority of sex offenders are believed to be male. Charges lodged against women may include sexu- al abuse of children but often involve grooming or trafficking girls without engaging in the act of sexually abusing the child. Estimates of the proportion of sexual abuse committed by women range from 1% when based on conviction rates to 40%, according to some surveys of peo- ple who are survivors of sexual abuse. But arrest and conviction rates may underrepresent the actual number of female sex offenders because those who have been assaulted by a woman are less likely to report the abuse. It is believed this results from social norms that de- fine sexual assault as being perpetrated by men, and rape myths that say boys should always want sex or could not be overpowered by a woman. Female offenders are also less likely than men to be arrested and convicted. And, if they are convicted, they typical- ly receive shorter sentences than male offenders. Women as co-offenders Women who commit sexual offens- es differ from male offenders in many ways. Female offenders are more likely to offend in a caregiving role, such as babysitter, teacher, parent or guardian of the victim. The victims of female offenders are of- ten younger than those of male offend- ers, and female offenders are equally likely to offend against female and male victims. However, the most striking difference is that female offenders are six times more likely than male offenders to have a co-offender, meaning two or more people participate in the abuse of the same victim. Elements of this profile of a female of- fender fit what we now know of Max- well. She participated with Epstein, a male co-offender several years her sen- ior. In court, victims portrayed Maxwell as someone whom they initiallybelieved they could trust, viewing her like a friend or an older sister. In testimony and interviews, Epstein's victims report that the presence of Max- well before and during the assaults made them feel that they were safe. The vic- tims questioned their feelings that what was happening was actually rape or sexu- al assault. They report ignoring red flags because they felt that if Maxwell acted as if the situation were normal, they must be wrong in feeling violated. Maxwell a 'sophisticated predator' Research shows that women may be involved by recruiting and manipulat- ing the victims into dangerous situa- tions and helping to provide a sense of safety for the victims. They may coerce or manipulate the victim, or behave in sexually abusive ways in front of, or at the same time as, the male abuser. Victims of Epstein have said that the financier's female co-offenders – in- cluding Maxwell – engaged in all of these forms of abuse. In the Maxwell trial, the court heard how she pressured victims into sexu- al acts with Epstein, would talk to the girls about sex and sexually touch the victims. Women co-offend for many reasons. Some may abuse victims for reasons similar to male offenders – for example, to gain power, to retaliate against some- one or because of sexual deviance. However, many are coerced or forced by the male co-offender. During the closing argument in Max- well's trial, both these pictures of the female sexual offender were presented. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alison Moe characterized Maxwell as a "sophisti- cated predator who knew exactly what she was doing." "She ran the same play- book again and again and again," Moe said. Defense attorney Laura Menninger framed Maxwell as a victim of Epstein's manipulation, stating, "It was clear Epstein was a manipulator of every- one around him. Someone like Jeffrey Epstein is always trying to control the people around them – use his position to manipulate people and play them off against one another." What should be done? If there is one positive outcome of the high-profile trial of Maxwell, it is that it has shown that perpetrators of sexual abuse can be women. In our experience, many sexual vi- olence prevention programs, materi- als and public service announcements universally depict perpetrators as men only. This not only teaches children to fear men but also may make potential victims more likely to trust a woman, even when her behavior is coercive, ma- nipulative or abusive. Prevention programs can be designed to specifically address women as poten- tial perpetrators to prevent abuses, such as those alleged in the Maxwell case. What Ghislaine Maxwell's case revealed about female sex offenders Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell on March 15, 2005