Final answer:
This question addresses the involvement of women as perpetrators of abuse in cases involving children, noting that they account for about 14% of abusers in reported cases for boys and 6% for girls. Child abuse can take various forms and is often underreported due to reasons such as fear of retaliation and protecting the abuser.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of this question centers on the rates at which women are perpetrators or abusers in cases of abuse involving children. While it is more common for men to be abusers, studies and reports indicate that women also commit acts of abuse. For boys, it is estimated that women are the abusers in about 14% of reported cases, and for girls, the figure is around 6%. It's imperative to acknowledge that child abuse can take many forms, including neglect, physical, sexual, psychological maltreatment, and medical neglect. The majority of child abuse cases are reported by professionals, but a significant number comes from anonymous sources or acquaintances.
Studies show that women, as well as men, are subject to various types of intimate partner violence (IPV), with notable differences in the patterns of abuse between genders. The data indicates that while abuse by female perpetrators against boys and girls exists, the prevalence of abuse where women are victims - in scenarios including domestic violence and sexual harassment - is higher. Moreover, the reasons for underreporting abuse, such as considering it a private matter or fear of retaliation, are significant factors in understanding the dynamics of abuse and the responses to it.