Women’s pathways to sexual offending: exploring judicial narratives to identify opportunities for early intervention and prevention

Growing recognition that women perpetrate sexual offences has not been matched by equivalent advances in prevention. Drawing on analysis of judicial narratives involving women convicted of sexual offences in Australia (n = 31), this study examines patterns of vulnerability and access to support prior to offending to inform earlier intervention and prevention. Results indicate significant adversity documented within judicial accounts, including mental health challenges, relational instability, childhood abuse and neglect, substance misuse, and cognitive or developmental delay. These factors frequently intersected and accumulated over time, suggesting opportunities for earlier intervention across multiple systems. Most women did not appear to have engaged with formal support services prior to offending, although almost half had access to informal support networks. The findings highlight the importance of prevention frameworks that recognise diverse offending pathways and contextual risks. Strengthening bystander capacity, improving access to support, and embedding trauma-informed, gender-responsive strategies are identified as key directions for prevention.PRACTICE IMPACT STATEMENT Findings highlight the need for earlier, coordinated responses to vulnerability among women at risk of sexual offending, particularly across child protection, mental health, and community support systems. Strengthening bystander capacity and improving timely access to trauma-informed, gender-responsive supports may help disrupt pathways into harm before abuse occurs.