Some 2,142 children told ChildLine last year they had been sexually abused by a woman - nearly a quarter of all calls where the offender's gender could be identified. The disturbing statistics follow the recent high-profile case of nursery worker Vanessa George, who was a member of an internet paedophile ring along with another woman.

Wow! What's going on?

According to the Press Association, "Last year ChildLine heard from 1,311 children who said they had been sexually assaulted by their own mother, representing 61% of all calls about abuse by females."

Previous research by the NSPCC suggested that women may be responsible for about one in 20 sex offences committed against children. The analysis found that most children who disclosed sexual abuse to ChildLine last year were aged between 12 and 15, and most said they knew their abuser.

What does that say about society?

Esther Rantzen, president of the helpline, said:

"This report reveals that ChildLine, by listening to the direct and authentic voices of abused children, has shattered common myths about sexual abuse. It does not only happen to girls, as many people believe. It happens to boys too.

"Mothers can sometimes sexually abuse their sons. And the report found that when girls are sexually abused, by far the most common perpetrator is not a stepfather, as many believe, but the biological father."

My Thoughts....

It's always interesting to read articles that discuss the intensity of child abuse and how boys can be abused and women can be the abuser. Many people when they hear about molestation or child abuse tend to focus their efforts on men, when in actuality women are at fault as well.

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My question for today is: What are your thoughts? Why do women sexually abuse children at a higher rate than men? What do you think is going on?