‘That might not be our reality but it’s hers’: Exploring non-offending female perceptions of serious female perpetrated crime.

Research has identified punitive and dismissive perceptions towards serious female offenders, discarding their criminal ability. Yet there is a lack of qualitative research, understanding why these perceptions are held. The aim of the study was therefore to explore non-offending female perceptions towards serious female offenders, understanding why these views are held and seeking any shifts in view subsequent to the provision of contextual information. Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample of non-offending women aged 20-62; where real-life criminal case study examples were used to elicit conversation. These interviews were transcribed coded and analysed using Thematic analysis. Three themes were devised; 1) varying crime characteristics; 2) sympathy towards women who kill; and 3) crime inducing social factors. Results demonstrated widespread sympathy and leniency towards serious female offenders; namely women who kill abusive partners and children. However, across all interviews the importance of context and circumstance in shaping participant perceptions was clear.