It is imperative that educators, parents, and potential victims be aware of sexual predators, the danger they pose in our society, and the resources available to help prevent this growing epidemic. Written from a police perspective, Sexual Predators Amongst Us examines the problem of sexual predation, how the Internet has contributed to its growth, and how we can protect children and the general public from these offenders.
The book begins by identifying traits and characteristics associated with sexual predation and explaining how the predator "grooms" his victims by gaining their trust. Chapters cover a range of topics related to sexual predation, including child abuse, incest, pedophilia in the clergy, sex trafficking, female sex offenders, and child pornography. The author explains how the Internet through social networking sites provides ample opportunities for sexual predators to entice their victims. He examines rehabilitation issues, describes legislation that has been passed in response to various tragic cases, and discusses sex offender registration.
Maintaining a user-friendly style, the book follows a consistent format, with each chapter containing:
- Quotes from actual victims and predators
- Key words associated with the chapter material and their definitions
- In My Opinion segments, where experts in the fields of health, psychology, law, government, criminal justice, and academia voice their honest and objective opinions regarding sexual predators
- Profiles of male and female sex offenders to help readers identify common traits
The book concludes with recommendations to parents for keeping children safe from online predators. Thought-provoking and direct, it is suitable as a university text as well as a reference for police academies, parents, and schools conducting awareness training courses.
Characteristics of a Sexual Predator
Sexual Predators—What Are We Dealing With?
Causes of Sexual Violence
Characteristics and Patterns
Cognitive Behavioral Theories
The Social Bond Theory
Profile of a Female Sexual Offender
Profile of a Male Sexual Offender
In My Opinion: Dr. Laura Barrow
Grooming the Victim
Grooming
Progression of Behavior for Grooming a Victim
Children Not Coming Forward
Parental/Predator Abuse and Emotional Blackmail and Guilt
Profile of a Female Sex Offender
Profile of a Male Sex Offender
In My Opinion: Ms. Maryanne Leach
Child Abuse and Incest
Child Abuse
Sexual Abuse of a Child
A Female Victim’s Perspective on Sexual Abuse
A Male Victim’s Perspective on Sexual Abuse
Terms Related to Sexual Abuse
Incest
Sexual Violence
Stockholm Syndrome
Profile of a Female Sex Offender
Profile of a Male Sex Offender
In My Opinion: Dr. Elena Azaola
Pedophilia and Sex Offenses
Pedophilia and Pedophiles
Paraphilia
Sexual Perversion
Clergy, Pedophilia, and Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church
Sexual Addiction
Behaviors Associated with Sexual Addiction
Sex Rings
Prostituted Children
Interstate Sex Trafficking
Child-Sex Tourism
Profile of a Female Sex Offender
Profile of a Male Sex Offender
In My Opinion: Mrs. Barbara Dorris
Female Sexual Offenders
Characteristics of Female Sex Offenders
Mothers Who Abuse Their Children
A Female Abuser Dominated by a Male Partner
A Female Abuser Who Holds a Position of Authority
A Female Abuser Who Is Curious and a Risk Taker
Females Who Abuse Family Members and Relatives
Female Sex Offenders and Major Components in Their Abuse
Key Examples of Risk Factors for Women
Key Examples of Risk Factors for Adolescent Girls
Recidivism
Treatment for Female Sex Offenders
Profile of a Female Sex Offender
Profile of a Male Sex Offender
In My Opinion: Dr. Erin Basalay
Child Pornography
Child Erotica
Child Pornography and Victimization
Law Enforcement and Child Pornography
Child Pornography Laws
Profile of a Female Sex Offender
Profile of a Male Sex Offender
In My Opinion: Mr. Daniel T. Coyne
The Internet and Sexual Predators
Display of an Internet Chat Room Conversation
The Internet and Sexual Predators
Online Child Enticement
Online Behavior
Risks of the Internet
Perceptions of Internet Safety
Triple A Theory
Internet Addiction Symptoms
Internet Enabled and Sexual Behaviors (IESBs)
Chat Rooms and Instant Messaging
Media Information and Newsgroups
Popular Websites
Webcams
Sexting
Cybersex
Cappers
The Internet and Schools
Profile of a Female Sex Offender
Profile of a Male Sex Offender
In My Opinion: Ms. Anne Collier
Law Enforcement on the Internet
Law Enforcement Involvement in Investigating Internet Crimes
DNA Evidence
Police Reports
The Entrapment Defense
Computer Evidence and the Fourth Amendment
Dateline NBC
Perverted Justice
Wiretapping
The Legal Impossibility Defense
Profile of a Female Sex Offender
Profile of a Male Sex Offender
In My Opinion: Dr. Frank Schmalleger
Incarceration, Recidivism, and Rehabilitation
Incarceration
Recidivism
Castration
Chemical Castration
Surgical Castration
Sex Offender Treatment Programs
Profile of a Female Sex Offender
Profile of a Male Sex Offender
In My Opinion: Mr. Mike Sullivan
Tragic Stories That Resulted in Landmark Legislation
The Jacob Wetterling Story
The Jessica Lunsford Story
The Megan Kanka Story
The Adam Walsh Story
The Dru Sjodin Story
The Pam Lychner Story
Chelsea King’s Story
Profile of a Female Sex Offender
Profile of a Male Sex Offender
In My Opinion: Ms. Kimberly Hart
Sex Offender Registration and Notification Laws
Earlier Issues with Sex Offenders
Registered Sex Offenders
Civil Commitment
Notification Laws: Do They Protect the Public or Invade Privacy?
Homeless Sex Offenders
Profile of a Female Sex Offender
Profile of a Male Sex Offender
In My Opinion: Father Tony Pizzo
Specific and Significant Laws Regarding Sex
Offenders
Walter Mondale Child Abuse and Treatment Act
Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation Act 1977
Child Abuse Victims Act of 1986
Victims of Child Abuse 1990
Child Online Protection Act and the Children’s Internet Protection Act
Sex Crimes against Children Prevention Act of 1995
Communication Decency Act (CDA) of 1996
Telecommunications Act 1996
The Child Pornography Prevention Act (CPPA)
The Child Online Protection Act (COPA) 1998
Protection of Children from Sexual Predators Act of 1998
The Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act of 2000
Prosecutorial Remedies and Other Tools to End the
Exploitation of Children Today (PROTECT) Act of 2003
Children Safety and Violent Crime Reduction Act of 2005
PROTECT Our Children Act of 2008
Keep the Internet Devoid of Sexual Predators Act of 2008 (KIDS)
Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA)
Effective Child Pornography Prosecution Act of 2008
First Amendment Rights
Fourth Amendment Rights
Eighth Amendment Rights
Internet Dating Safety Act
Profile of a Female Sex Offender
Profile of a Male Sex Offender
In My Opinion
From an Illinois Assistant State’s Attorney
Internet Safety and Education
Authoritative Parents
Behavior
Behavior outside the Home
Computer in a Common Area
Computer Lingo
Educated and Computer-Savvy Parents
Law Enforcement on Internet Safety
Limit Time on the Computer
Meeting a Predator in Real Life
Open Communication
Parents
Predators on the Internet: Hiding Their Identity
Sexual Predator as a Friend
Safe Childhood Program
Secrets and Secret Relationships
A Child’s Self-Confidence
Sexual Advances on the Internet
Sharing e-Mail Accounts
Sharing Personal Information
Strangers on the Internet
Websites: Reporting
What Kids Do Online
Firewalls, Antivirus Software, and Privacy Filters
Safe Internet Sites
Definitions of Terms
Contacts
Index
Biography
Ron Rufo has been a Chicago police officer for the past 17 years. He has spent most of his career as a crime prevention speaker with the Preventive Programs unit and has given hundreds of presentations in Internet safety, street safety, and workplace violence. Dr. Rufo has taught many classes in police procedures and policies and has been instrumental as a team leader in the Chicago Police Department Peer Support Group. Dr. Rufo has received numerous awards, commendations, honorable mentions, and letters of appreciation in serving the citizens of Chicago. He was awarded his master of arts degree in organizational leadership from Lewis University in 2002 and graduated with his doctoral degree in organizational leadership from Argosy University, Atlanta, Georgia, in 2007. His dissertation title was "An Investigation of Online Predation of Minors by Convicted Male Offenders." He has also contributed to the book Terrorism and Property Management.
