Predators: Pedophiles, Rapists, And Other Sex Offenders [Paperback]

Anna Salter (Author)

Book Description

Release date: March 30, 2004

What motivates sexual abusers? Why are so few caught? Drawing on the stories of abusers, Anna C. Salter shows that sexual predators use sophisticated deception techniques and rely on misconceptions surrounding them to evade discovery. Arguing that even the most knowledgeable among us can be fooled, Salter dispels the myths about sexual predators and gives us the tools to protect our families and ourselves.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Salter, known for such novels as White Lies, offers a direct and startling look at the alarming problem of sexual predators in the U.S. Drawing on her experience counseling victims and offenders, she creates a daunting picture for the readers. "This is not a book with complete and comfortable answers. It will not finish with a checklist for identifying a sex offender.... But if I do my job right, reading this book will make it harder for sex offenders to get access to you or your children," she says in her introduction. Despite some much publicized media cases, Salter believes there are many misunderstandings about sexual predators. Most of the crimes are premeditated and carefully planned, and fewer than 5% of sexual predators are caught. With anecdotes and case histories, Salter examines such various predators as rapists and child molesters. Then, she goes on to offer some specific strategies to avoid high-risk situations. These tactics consist of monitoring children, even teens, on the Internet; carrying a cell phone; using home security systems, etc. The descriptions of violent attacks and victims' experience will undoubtedly unnerve readers. However, the subject matter is likely to appeal more to police or psychology professionals. The strategies the author offers for readers are usually fairly obvious. While sexual crimes may be on the increase, readers may see this book as necessary only after they've been victimized rather than as a preventive guide.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Salter, a psychologist, draws on 20 years of studying sex offenders to provide a disturbing and absorbing look at how and why sex abusers generally get away with their abuse. Sex offenders are usually not the monsters most expect them to be; instead, they are charming, likable people who count on those traits to hide their true intentions and activities. Using interviews with sex offenders, Salter offers chilling portraits of a variety of people, including priests, teachers, coaches, and others who come in daily contact with children, who take advantage of their positions and the trust of children and their parents to commit heinous acts. Salter profiles child molesters, rapists, sadists, and psychopaths, including their general techniques for deception. Her final chapter, focused on helping parents to protect their children, emphasizes deflecting sex offenders--because detecting them is nearly impossible--with practical suggestions for vigilantly monitoring children's activities and who coaches or counsels them. Despite some chilling profiles, this is an insightful look at a subject that concerns all parents. Vanessa Bush
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Basic Books; Reprint edition (March 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0465071732
• ISBN-13: 978-0465071739
• Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 0.8 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (72 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #41,708 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 53 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Relevant for parents, but disturbing. May 23, 2003

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

I disagree with the editorial review which opined that this "subject matter is likely to appeal more to police or psychology professionals." I am a parent, and not a police officer or psychologist, and I sat down with this book and read it nonstop because it was so compelling.

I think the author does a great job of alerting readers to the danger we face from the human predators around us. She works with the Wisconsin Dept of Corrections and in the book has shared dialogue from interviews with a number of unsavory convicted criminals. Yet the truth is so disturbing that it is easier to blindly believe in an inner good in everyone.

The book contains plenty of insight into the minds of child molesters, and a lengthy focus on deception and lying. There's an overview of how child molesters ingratiate themselves with trusting families in order to get at their victims. And how child rapists are given the freedom to commit their crime again and again when children aren't believed. "Niceness" is their masquerade, in the sense that people doubt that someone so "nice" could be doing something so horrible.

The book also discusses victim-blaming, and why the victims of rape cope by thinking, "If only I hadn't done THIS, If only I hadn't been wearing THAT." And it talks about the wrongness of family therapy as a response to incest, because the perpetrator gets to hide behind the "dysfunctional family" label.

There's a lot more in this well-written book, which I find very relevant to people who want to protect themselves and their own children. I recommend it.

23 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Educational for All Parents July 28, 2003

By Tim Smith

Format:Hardcover

Anna Salter does a masterful job of drawing attention to the fact that we live in an increasingly dangerous world amongst sexual predators who are invisible right before our eyes. These predators are able to successfully gratify their pathological appetites because not only are they experts at deception but also because they take advantage of our naivete and willingness to believe that friendly, pleasant-looking adults are trustworthy and have only good intentions around our children.

Salter points out that sexual assaults occur much more frequently than once thought. In addition, offenders are rarely caught because we are vulnerable to the distorted belief that we know who predators are, what they look like, and how they act.

The majority of the book is devoted to correcting those distortions. It provides insights into how to identify child molesters and rapists and how sadists and psychopaths operate. After describing the fine intricacies of deception and providing some intriguing observations on what to look for when we believe a person is trying to deceive us, Salter concludes that lies are easy to miss. She admits to reservations about developing the ability to detect deception frequently enough to make a difference. Instead she proposes the most effective means of protection is to "deflect" sex offenders through increased awareness of the environment and more involvement in our children's lives.

The more parents and adults educate themselves about those who abuse our children, the safer our society will become. The only glaring omission in Salter's work however, is the use of the Internet as a means to prey upon the young.... A volume devoted to developing safeguards employing the same acumen and professional insights as used in this HIGHLY RECOMMENDED work would be a welcome addition to the subject. Read more ›

23 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Disturbing Book about a Disturbing World. May 3, 2003

By Thomas J. Willard

Format:Hardcover

I wish there was no need for this book. It speaks of things that shouldn't be done or even thought about. The title makes one think of something rare, unusual, and not of general interest. Unfortunately, the activities are all too common.
The author is warm, likeable ... and even humorous at times.
The subject is the worst case opposite.

As parents we wish to raise happy, innocent children. Kites and kittens, puppies and dolls. Laughter and sunny memories.

Anna Salter shows the cruel statistics, demonstrating that the dangers to children are much greater than commonly believed. She provides practical advice that the readers of the book can use to protect themselves and their loved ones.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book on the topic. Read it, you'll be glad you did! November 16, 2006

By Bay Frost

Format:Paperback

While this isn't a "nice" topic the book is very informative and enlightening, I found the chapter on psychopaths particularly interesting as well as the many techniques prisoners and other criminals use to gain trust among staff members while IN PRISON! WE HAVE TO EDUCATE OURSELVES if we want to stay safe, reading this book gives you the opportunity to stay one step ahead, to think twice before you say "yes" to helping a stranger who may be dangerous or letting your child go to an overnight camping trip.

Read "the gift of fear" as well by Dr. Gavin De Becker, you won't regret it, I assure you.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Very informative January 11, 2010

By Jane

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

My husband recently was instrumental in enabling a parolling sex offender to find a place to live and therefore be released from prison. As a result of this a close family member was sexually assaulted and the parolee sent back to prison for the length of his parole. During all the trauma of the event this book was a tremendouse help. Ann Salter has many years of first hand experience dealing with these kinds of people and explained how some can be and how some think. She is very readable and seems to know just how to explain clearly. Other texts we tried would skim over areas that we needed and did not help us to understand what had happened to us. I have bought a copy for myself and one for a criminal justice professor at our local college. I also bought one for the sexual assault counselor who will find it very helpful I know. Of all the books out there for victims of sexual assault by a sex offender who want to understand more fully "what happened" this book will help you.