Interviews were conducted with 46 of the female offenders, 81.8 percent of the women who abused intrafamilially; in 70 percent of cases, known victims were also evaluated. Cases in which all victims were not interviewed primarily involved extrafamilial sexual abuse. Interview findings, psychological test results, and case background material were used to code data. Social situational factors and individual deficits (mental illness, mental retardation, and substance abuse) that might lead women to sexually abuse children were examined. Study findings indicated that female offenders were generally younger than male sex offenders. The sexual abuse committed by women was very serious, usually involving multiple victims and intrusive sexual activity. Women had significant functional problems, with high rates of mental illness, mental retardation, and substance abuse. Women sexually abused children both within and outside the family, and they appeared to use children to meet their emotional and sexual needs. Despite the severity of cases studied, few women suffered serious consequences because of their behavior. 30 references, 4 notes, 5 tables, and 1 figure