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ForwardLifting the Veil: Complex Trauma from Female Perpetrators of Sexual Violence
Abstract
It will come as no surprise that the assumption of gender has long been part of responses to survivors of sex crimes; both the gender of the survivor and the gender of the perpetrator(s). Despite progression in the realm of dismantling bias and sexism, society still has far to go with respect to looking at gender in sex offenders, including clinical professionals. Many survivors still do not feel comfortable sharing if the person who sexually assaulted them was female, nor often even know that it was sexual assault. It is still difficult to come across a gender-neutral cycle of violence handout in the field of domestic violence, let alone that of sexual violence.
In addition to the clinical field, this bias can also be seen in the criminal justice system, namely the differences in convictions and sentencing for female sex offenders versus male sex offenders. Additionally, female sex offenders who were sexually abused as children have often been negatively impacted by bias which may very well influence the pathway of their future offender behaviors. Some of these behaviors include, but are not limited to, single-incident sexual assault, rape, child sexual abuse, sex trafficking, paraphilic development, and even murder. It is also of note that the impact of these early childhood traumas on the intersecting factors of dissociation, empathy, and self-schema are difficult to find in research.
Many women who have murdered with co-offenders throughout history have often also participated in sexual offending with their co-offender, however it is notable that their sex crimes are often portrayed as lesser than their male counterparts. This is significant not only for the sake of challenging biases, but- more importantly- because it sends a message to survivors that any crimes perpetrated onto them from said females are also lesser-than. It is possible to take a multiple pathways approach via feminist criminology and advocate for the rights of girls and women at the same time; they are not mutually exclusive. The purpose of this presentation is to understand the specific trends in female sexual offending, so as to both better serve survivors and offer more appropriate rehabilitation for offenders.
Potential to Distress: Yes
Target Audience
Beginning/Introductory
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this session participants will be able to:
- Define forced penetration and other federal definitions of diverse sexual violence categories
- Identify connections between patriarchy and female sexual offending
- Define feminist criminology and the multiple pathways approach
- Identify how childhood sexual trauma influences female sexual offenders’ psychological factors, including dissociation, empathy, and self-schema
- Integrate specificities of female sexual offending in psycho-education, assessments, and clinical work with survivors
Kristen Muche, LCSW
Kristen Muche is a trauma specialist, psychotherapist, and Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California, Florida, Nevada, Oregon, and Utah. She graduated in 2013 from California State University Long Beach with a Master of Social Work, during which she published her thesis entitled Sanctuary: A Content Analysis of Literature on Trauma-Informed Psychiatric Inpatient Treatment for Female Survivors of Rape and Sexual Assault Under Involuntary Hold.
The primary survivors whom Muche works with have endured complex trauma and structural dissociation, often with experiences of sexual violence, trafficking, generational trauma, homelessness, and criminal justice-involvement. Muche has practiced in a diverse range of settings, primarily non-profit organizations, including a rape crisis center, domestic violence program, homeless service providers, and Trauma Recovery Centers, as well as jails, police departments, courthouses, and hospitals.
In her private practice, Any Stage of Healing, Muche facilitates in-home, community-based, and virtual trauma psychotherapy, clinical supervision to associate clinicians gaining hours toward licensure, consultations with licensed clinicians, and trainings to organizations on both trauma and mental health-related topics. Muche is also an adjunct professor in the School of Social Work at California State University Los Angeles and the Division of Criminal Justice at California State University Fullerton. She also occasionally lectures in the graduate psychology programs of Antioch University and Pepperdine University. She is a member of the ISSTD, International Traumatic Stress Society, American Psychological Association, and the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.
Available Credit
- 1.50 APAThe International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
- 1.50 ASWB ACEThe International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD), #1744, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/20/2024 – 08/20/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 1.50 continuing education credits.
- 1.50 ISSTD Certificate ProgramThis program is eligible for 1.50 credits in the ISSTD Certificate Program. No certificate of completion is generated for this type of credit.
Early registration ends August 31, 2025 at 5:00 PM US Eastern Time. Prices will increase for emerging professional and professional/retired rates at that time by $50.
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Available Discounts
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Cancellation Policy
Cancellations must be received in writing via email or fax. A processing fee of $45 will be charged for cancellations received on or before Sunday, August 31, 2025 at 5:00 PM US Eastern Time. No refunds will be issued for no-shows. Refund requests will not be accepted after August 31, 2025. Not all requests will be granted. Substitutions for attendees are accepted until September 23, 2025.
Grievance Policy
ISSTD is fully committed to conducting all activities in strict conformation with the APA and ASWB grievance procedures.
During this conference, conference organizers, presenters and staff will address any concerns that arise. Every effort will be made to address the concerns during the conference when possible. If these individuals are unable to address the participant’s concerns, the complaints and grievances shall be presented in writing to ISSTD Headquarters at [email protected]. These will be forwarded on for review by the Virtual and Regional Conference Committee.
Social Workers: Should social workers have a specific grievance, these grievances will be addressed by D. Michael Coy, LICSW. In situations where the social worker would have a conflict of interest, then, Christine Forner, MSW will review the grievance.
ISSTD strives to resolve grievances in a manner that is in the best interest of the participant. All complaints and grievances are reviewed within 5 working days. Formal grievances are required to be written and emailed as directed above and will be responded to within 15 business days.
Disability Policy (ADA)
We would be happy to accommodate your ADA needs. Please contact ISSTD Headquarters via email at [email protected] or via phone at 844.994.7783 for assistance.
Registration Contact Information
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 844.994.7783
Fax: 888.966.0310