Up to one fifth of victims of child sex abuse may have suffered at the hands of a female, a leading support group revealed today.
The Cari Foundation brought experts together in Dublin to discuss women sex offenders — what they claim is the last taboo.
Majella Ryan, Cari national clinical director, said female child sex abuse was widely under-reported.
"It's a very small proportion of cases but it is significant enough and we would probably see a slight increase if we were talking more about this and it became more widely recognised," she said.
"It would then be easier for victims to come forward and disclose the abuse and easier for professionals to deal with them."
Ms Ryan said there was very little research into the number of female sex abusers in Ireland. She noted in the early 1980s there were less than 100 cases of child abuse reported but that has grown to more than 1,000 as the subject was discussed.
Ms Ryan said while it was difficult to secure convictions against men for abusing youngsters prosecutions against women would be even harder because of society.
According to the Sexual Abuse and Violence in Ireland report from 2002, 7% of child sex abuses are perpetrated by females.
Cari, Ireland's leading voluntary provider of psychotherapy to children, families and groups affected by child sexual abuse, held a conference on the subject in Dublin.
They called for a review of the way female offenders are assessed and treatment. Cari said more intervention and therapy alternatives should be adopted.
Cari said although society has begun to recognise child sex abuse is widespread, the possibility that sex abuse of children could be perpetrated by women is hardly acknowledged.
The group said there are relatively few female abusers but also warned the level of abuse is likely to be hugely under-reported.
Cari said with abuse by women being perceived as very rare, and women, particularly mothers, seen as generally good, young victims may think they bear even greater guilt and shame for the abuse.