From a leading expert, a window into the psychology that motivates sexual predators-and how we can protect ourselves from them
Psychologist Anna Salter has been studying sex offenders and their victims for more than forty years. In countless hours of interviews with sexual predators-from respected community leaders to clergymen and trusted family friends-she has uncovered truths that will shock and outrage readers. What motivates sexual abusers? Why are so few caught? Drawing on the stories of abusers, told in their own words, Salter shows that sexual predators use sophisticated deception techniques and deliberately rely on misconceptions surrounding them to evade discovery. A man who raped more than ninety people tells how he fooled authorities by inserting elements of truth into his story. As reports of abuse by priests and other "upstanding members of society" have shown, abusers often lead double lives in their communities. Two girls repeatedly raped in front of each other told Salter that their assaulter was "still moderator of the town meetings." Arguing that even the most knowledgeable among us can be fooled, Salter dispels the myths surrounding sexual predators and gives us the tools to protect our families and ourselves. In this revised and updated edition, Salter draws on cutting-edge research and new case studies to bring this seminal work up to date for our modern age.