Study leader Susan Strickland said many people believe women are not capable of committing such acts and the abuse of boys by women is often dismissed as the boys sowing their oats or "getting lucky."

Both boys and girls are molested by female perpetrators and these victims often suffer a myriad of consequences affecting their sexuality, relationships and beliefs about themselves and others, Strickland said.

Strickland said the study, the largest of its kind, surveyed 130 incarcerated females -- 60 of which were sex offenders and 70 of which were nonsexual offenders. While the majority of both groups reported being the victims of childhood maltreatment, the sex offenders were significantly more likely to experience pervasive, serious and more frequent emotional abuse, physical abuse and neglect.

The study, published in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence, said the subgroup of female sex offenders suffered significantly more abuse, particularly sexual abuse.

Strickland suggests that many female sex offenders struggle with relationships and lack the social skills to have their needs met with consensual adult partners.