I think the rarity of such an event is one of the reasons some men (and women) develop a prurient interest in the subject. It can’t be the only reason, of course, because there are also a lot of women who get a thrill from using CP (or seeing it used) on boys. There are plenty of reports, including admissions from the guilty, of how girls would contrive to get boys wrongfully caned. I know women who did this when they were younger and feel guilty about it now. Some female teachers have also admitted getting a thrill from caning (and otherwise humiliating) boys.
When I was at school, boys and girls did associate a lot more. Didn’t you ever play “kiss chase”? I wasn’t interested in “girls’ games/activities” so I tended to associate with boys.