ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author discusses two phenomena that have traditionally been the domain of male offenders, psychopathy and sexual offending. She explores their manifestation in women, and the vilification of these women. The author describes the notion of ‘female psychopathy’ and its depiction in popular culture. Deeply entrenched taboos relating to female sexual abuse of children make such abuse difficult for victims and perpetrators to acknowledge. The author aims to challenge the utility of the concept of psychopathy and suggest that it should instead be replaced with the notion of ‘psychopathic states of mind’, arguing that cruelty and reckless disregard for others can occur when women are under tremendous psychic pressure, rather than as a result of pervasive characterological disturbance. The personality features that have been identified in the literature as characterising female psychopathy tend to fit stereotyped conceptions of the ‘femme fatale’, including ‘seductiveness’, deceit and the capacity to manipulate others.
