Client and Practitioner Insights into Treatment for Women Convicted of Child Sexual Abuse: A Qualitative Study Informing Gender-Responsive Practice

Bricklyn Priebe; Nadine McKillop; Susan Rayment-McHugh; Larissa S Christensen

doi:10.1177/10790632261470828

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Client and Practitioner Insights into Treatment for Women Convicted of Child Sexual Abuse: A Qualitative Study Informing Gender-Responsive Practice

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Client and Practitioner Insights into Treatment for Women Convicted of Child Sexual Abuse: A Qualitative Study Informing Gender-Responsive Practice

Bricklyn Priebe, Nadine McKillop, Susan Rayment-McHugh and Larissa S Christensen

Sexual Abuse, Vol.Advanced access

22-Jul-2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/10790632261470828

PMID: 42487150

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Abstract

female-perpetrated sexual offending

user voice

intervention

gender responsivity

therapy

Gender-responsive programming has emerged as a pivotal force behind improved therapeutic outcomes for women in the criminal justice system. Enhancing relevance of treatment provided to women sentenced for child sexual abuse (CSA) is necessary given the proposed gender-based pathways and motivations linked with this crime. This research incorporates the views of women sentenced for CSA (n = 18) and practitioners (n = 25) and aims to determine the key treatment targets for women sentenced for CSA, and how these might be similar or different to the needs of men sentenced for this offending. Results indicate that despite some overlap of treatment targets, there are gendered nuances in how some core topics should be addressed when delivering offense-specific correctional programming to women. Five key targets emerged that indicate notable differences warranting tailored intervention, including: the effects of past trauma, relationship toxicity, (un)healthy sexuality, lowered self-concepts, and parenting challenges. These nuances align with strengths-based and trauma-informed approaches advocated for this population, helping to guide future program development and implementation. Recommendations for practice are included.

Details

Title: Client and Practitioner Insights into Treatment for Women Convicted of Child Sexual Abuse: A Qualitative Study Informing Gender-Responsive Practice
Authors: Bricklyn Priebe (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Nadine McKillop - University of the Sunshine Coast
Susan Rayment-McHugh - University of the Sunshine Coast
Larissa S Christensen - University of the Sunshine Coast
Publication details: Sexual Abuse, Vol.Advanced access
Publisher: Sage Publications, Inc.
DOI: 10.1177/10790632261470828
ISSN: 1573-286X
PMID: 42487150
Copyright note: © The Author(s) 2026. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) which permits any use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access page (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage).
Grants: Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship, RTP, Department of Education (Australia, Canberra)
Organisation Unit: Healthy Ageing Research Cluster; School of Law and Society; Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991246953902621
Output Type: Journal article

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